Final answer:
A dark-skinned client with a gray-colored tongue and lips likely has pernicious anemia, a type of vitamin B12 deficiency. Confirmation through diagnostic tests is necessary, and treatment involves B12 supplementation.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dark-skinned client with a gray-colored tongue and lips likely has a condition called pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia is a type of vitamin B12 deficiency that affects the production of red blood cells. It can cause various symptoms, such as pale or grayish skin, fatigue, weakness, and tongue and lip discoloration.
Pernicious anemia occurs when the body is unable to absorb enough vitamin B12 from the diet. This can happen due to autoimmune disorders that attack the cells in the stomach responsible for absorbing B12 or due to other conditions that affect the stomach or small intestine.
To confirm the suspicion of pernicious anemia, further diagnostic tests would be necessary, such as blood tests to measure B12 levels and certain antibodies. Treatment typically involves regular injections or high-dose supplements of vitamin B12 to replenish the deficiency.