A nurse is educating a patient and their family about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan regarding dietary sources of vitamin B12?
"Include more leafy green vegetables in your diet.”
"Increase your consumption of red meat and poultry.”
"Avoid dairy products to prevent exacerbating the deficiency.”
"Consume more citrus fruits for their vitamin B12 content.”
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
"Include more leafy green vegetables in your diet." Rationale: This statement is incorrect because leafy green vegetables are not a significant source of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal products such as meat, poultry, fish, and dairy.
Leafy green vegetables are sources of other essential nutrients like folate, but they do not contain vitamin B12.
Choice B rationale:
"Increase your consumption of red meat and poultry." Rationale: This is the correct answer.
Red meat and poultry are excellent dietary sources of vitamin B12.
Consuming these foods can help individuals increase their vitamin B12 intake, which is crucial for addressing vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
Choice C rationale:
"Avoid dairy products to prevent exacerbating the deficiency." Rationale: This statement is incorrect.
Dairy products are a good source of vitamin B12, and avoiding them may worsen a vitamin B12 deficiency.
It is important to include dairy products in the diet, especially for individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
Choice D rationale:
"Consume more citrus fruits for their vitamin B12 content." Rationale: This statement is incorrect.
Citrus fruits are not a source of vitamin B12.
They are known for their vitamin C content, but vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal-based foods.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should encourage the client with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia to consume foods rich in vitamin B12.
Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and fortified cereals are excellent sources of vitamin B12.
Including these foods in the diet can help increase vitamin B12 intake and support the treatment of the deficiency.
Choice B rationale:
Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C are not directly related to increasing vitamin B12 intake.
Vitamin C is essential for iron absorption, but it does not provide vitamin B12.
Encouraging the consumption of vitamin C-rich foods is important for iron-deficiency anemia, not vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
Choice C rationale:
Dairy products and nuts are not primary sources of vitamin B12.
While they offer other essential nutrients, they do not provide significant amounts of vitamin B12.
Therefore, they should not be the primary focus when trying to increase vitamin B12 intake.
Choice D rationale:
Foods high in iron and calcium, while important for overall health, are not the primary focus when addressing vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
Iron and calcium-rich foods are more relevant to iron-deficiency anemia and bone health, respectively.
The primary focus for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia should be on foods rich in vitamin B12, as mentioned in choice A.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Serum vitamin B12 level.
Choice A rationale:
Serum folate level does not confirm vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
While both vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies can lead to similar types of anemia (macrocytic and hypochromic), measuring serum folate levels alone will not confirm the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
Choice B rationale:
The correct answer is choice B.
A serum vitamin B12 level test is a crucial diagnostic tool for confirming vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
In this case, where the client presents with macrocytic (large) and hypochromic (pale) RBCs with low hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels and an elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV) above 100 fL, a low serum vitamin B12 level would confirm the diagnosis.
Choice C rationale:
Serum homocysteine level can be elevated in cases of vitamin B12 deficiency, but it is not a specific test for confirming the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
It may be used as an additional marker, but it should not be the primary test for confirmation.
Choice D rationale:
Reticulocyte count measures the percentage of young, immature red blood cells in the blood and is not a specific test for confirming vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
While anemia is present in this case, it does not provide direct information about the underlying cause, which is best confirmed by measuring serum vitamin B12 levels.
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