Question

After gastric bypass surgery, a patient has an increased risk for deficiency of which of the following?

1) Vitamin C
2) Potassium
3) Vitamin B12
4) N-3 fatty acids

Answer 1

After gastric bypass surgery, a patient has an increased risk for deficiency of Vitamin B12.

Step-by-step explanation:

After gastric bypass surgery, a patient has an increased risk for deficiency of Vitamin B12. The production of intrinsic factor, necessary for the intestinal absorption of vitamin B12, cannot occur without a functioning stomach. Total gastrectomy, or stomach removal, can cause minimal digestive dysfunction if the patient receives vitamin B12 injections.

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in various physiological processes in the body. It is essential for the formation of red blood cells, the maintenance of the nervous system, and the synthesis of DNA. Vitamin B12 is not produced by the human body, so it must be obtained through dietary sources or supplements.