Question

The client has pernicious anemia. Which of the following vitamins will the client need injections of for the rest of their life?

1) Vitamin B12
2) Vitamin A
3) Vitamin C
4) Vitamin D

Answer 1

Clients with pernicious anemia need regular Vitamin B12 injections for life because their bodies cannot absorb this nutrient adequately. The correct option is 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client with pernicious anemia will need injections of Vitamin B12 for the rest of their life. Pernicious anemia is characterized by the poor absorption of Vitamin B12, often due to the lack of intrinsic factor, a protein that helps the intestine absorb this nutrient.

Vitamin B12 is essential for the normal maturation and development of erythrocytes (red blood cells), necessary for DNA synthesis, and required for the conversion of methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. Insufficient vitamin B12 can lead to anemia and neurological problems.

Since the body cannot properly absorb this vital nutrient due to the condition, regular injections of B12 are required to manage the deficiency and maintain adequate health.