Question

a client comes into the emergency department reporting an enlarged tongue. the tongue appears smooth and beefy red in color. the nurse also observes a 5-cm incision on the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. when questioned, the client states, "i had a partial gastrostomy 2 years ago." based on this information, the nurse attributes these symptoms to which problem?

Answer 1

Because vitamin B12 is found only in foods of animal origin, strict vegetarians may ingest little vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 combines with intrinsic factor produced in the stomach. The vitamin B12-intrinsic factor complex is absorbed in the distal ileum. Clients who have had a partial or total gastrectomy may have limited amounts of intrinsic factor, and therefore the absorption of vitamin B12 may be diminished. The effects of either decreased absorption or decreased intake of vitamin B12 are not apparent for 2-4 years. This results in megaloblastic anemia. Some symptoms are a smooth, beefy red, enlarged tongue and cranial nerve deficiencies.