vitamin deficiency Flashcards
what is deficiency of vitamin A associated with
(retinol)
(2)
ocular defects (esp xerophthalmia - dry eye)
increased susceptibility to infections
how common is vitamin A deficiency in UK
rare
true or false - deficiency of vitamin B is common
false. deficiency of B vitamins, other than B12, is rare in the UK
when is IV nutrition given & what are the 2 methods
adequate nutrition not possible
given via 2 methods: supplemental parenteral nutrition (addition to ordinary feeding) or total parenteral nutrition (sole source of nutrition)
How is parenteral nutrition infused
through central venous catheter or peripheral vein
what is the preferred carb given in IV nutrition
glucose
name the fat soluble vitamins
ADEK
vitamin A deficiency can cause
ocular defects
increased risk of infections
vitamin A is found in the following foods
cheese
eggs
oily fish
milk
yoghurt
liver
liver products e.g. pate
vitamin D deficiency leads to
rickets
normal dose of vitamin D
400 units (10mcg)
vitamin D is found in the following foods
oily fish
red meat
liver
egg yolk
fortified food e.g. cereal
what is vitamin E also known as
tocopherol
what is tocopherol
vit E
vit E deficiency leads to
neuromuscular abnormalities
vit E is found in which foods
plant oil, nuts, seeds, wheatgerm
what foods is vit K found in
green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, cereal grains
What is the vitam K water soluble derivative given orally in malabsorption states
menadiol
(this has possible risk of causing acute haemolysis in some pt with G6PD Deficiency (a (aspirin) curious (chloroquine) man (menadiol) quietly (quinine) sips (SU) nectar (naphthalene in moth balls)
name the water soluble vitamins
vit C (ascorbic acid)
vit B
what is B1 and what is it used for
thiamine - used in wernickes encephalopathy/ in deficiency e.g. alcohol dependent pt
what is B2 and what does it do
riboflavin
keeps skin, eyes and NS healthy
what is B6 and what is it useful for
pyridoxine
treat peipheral neurpahy associated with isoniazid
what is B12 and what is it used for a
hydroxycobalamin
used in treatment of B12 megaloblastic anameia
vitamin B is found in what foods
meat
cereal
veg
Vit C deficiency causes
scurvy
what does vit D help with
wound healing
maintains healthy skin blood vessels bone and cartilage
foods rich in vit C
oranges peppers strawberries blackcurrant broccoli sprouts potatoes
what is vit k necessary for
production of clotting factors
pt with fat malabsorption esp in biliary obstruction and hepatic disease may be defienct in
fat soluble e.g ADEK
but not really for A or E
specific populations at risk of vit D deficiency include
dark skin (such as those of African, African-Caribbean or South Asian origin) as their skin is less efficient at synthesising vitamin D
individuals aged over 65 years
individuals who have low or no exposure to the sun (such as those who are housebound or confined indoors, or who cover their skin for cultural reasons)
pregnant and breastfeeding women (particularly teenagers and young women)
and children aged under 4 years.
Supplements containing vitamin D (e.g. Healthy Start) should be considered for who?
all pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children aged under 4 years, to prevent vitamin D deficiency (if clinically appropriate)
what should be prescribed to pt with severe RI who require vit D therapy and why
Vitamin D requires hydroxylation by the kidney to its active form, therefore the hydroxylated derivatives alfacalcidol or calcitriol should be prescribed if patients with severe renal impairment require vitamin D therapy.
Mr. Eze Timibe visits the pharmacy seeking advice about his skin. He reports that his skin bruises and bleeds easily, and wounds are taking longer to heal. He has also noticed that his teeth feel slightly loose, and he generally feels tired and unwell. When asked about his diet, he mentions that he primarily eats ready-made meals and avoids fresh fruits and vegetables due to frequent work travel. Given his symptoms, which vitamin deficiency is he most likely experiencing?
Scurvy - vitamin C deficinecy
Symptoms of scurvy
this is caused by low vit C
feeling very tired and weak all the time
feeling irritable and sad all the time
joint, muscle or leg pain
swollen, bleeding gums (sometimes teeth can fall out)
developing red or blue spots on the skin, usually on the legs and feet, although this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin
skin that bruises easily
what increases risk of scurvy (diet etc)
have no fresh fruits or vegetables in your diet for a while
eat very little food at all – possible reasons include treatments that make you feel very sick all the time (such as chemotherapy) or an eating disorder such as anorexia
smoke, as smoking reduces how much vitamin C your body gets from food
have a long-term dependency on drugs or alcohol that affects your diet
have a poor diet while pregnant or breastfeeding, because the body needs more vitamin C at these times
what is rickets
A lack of vitamin D or calcium is the most common cause of rickets.
Rickets is a condition that affects bone development in children. It causes bone pain, poor growth and soft, weak bones that can lead to bone deformities.
A 48-year-old man with a history of peptic ulcer disease and angina recently had his creatinine and electrolyte levels checked as part of a routine health assessment. He is currently taking naproxen 500 mg tablets and omeprazole 20 mg gastro-resistant capsules and has a past medical history of alcoholism. His most recent test results show signs of hypomagnesaemia. What is the recommended treatment for this patient?
Choose only ONE best answer.
A:Magnesium hydroxide
B:Magnesium sulfate
C:Magnesium aspartate
D:Magnesium glycerophosphate
E:Magnesium citrate
B – For symptomatic hypomagnesemia, the treatment of choice is intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) magnesium sulfate.
A patient has come out from the pharmacy health check-up and has been told that their blood cholesterol levels have increased since the last review. The patient would like to take some supplements to help reduce this rather than risk taking statins in the future. Which of the following vitamins can they take?
A. Vitamin B1
B. Vitamin B2
C. Vitamin B3
D. Vitamin B5
E. Vitamin B6
F. Vitamin B7
G. Vitamin B9
H. Vitamin B12
C – Vitamin B3 (niacin) comes as nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Nicotinic acid can inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol and triglycerides, reducing blood cholesterol levels.
Miss Lizzi Nopril, the trainee pharmacist has come and asked which types of vitamins should be used prior to pregnancy. Which of the following vitamins should be recommended to someone prior to pregnancy?
A. Vitamin B1
B. Vitamin B2
C. Vitamin B3
D. Vitamin B5
E. Vitamin B6
F. Vitamin B7
G. Vitamin B9
H. Vitamin B12
G – Vitamin B9 (folic acid) should be recommended in patients who are trying to conceive at a dose of 400mcg per day. A 5mg dose may be recommended in patient groups at risk of neural tube defects.
