Vitamins and Minerals Flashcards
1
Q
What are vitamins?
A
- Substances that the body requires to be able to carry out metabolic reactions.
- Body cannot synthesize enough to meet requirements.
- Must be obtained from animals and vegetable tissues through food.
2
Q
What are Minerals?
A
- Naturally occurring inorganic substances, exists within the body.
- Important for normal bodily functioning
- Gained through diet to maintain levels to sustain bodily functions.
- Some are electrolytes that carry electrical charge when dissolved in fluid/ water
3
Q
What can deficiency in vitamins and minerals cause?
A
Increased risk of health problems such as anemia, osteoporosis, arrythmias.
4
Q
What are the therapeutic actions of Vitamins & Minerals?
A
- Facilitate the functioning of the human body.
- Build bones, make hormones, regulate fluid volume, generate nerve action potentials & produce RBC’s
5
Q
What is the easiest way to ensure that we are getting enough vitamins and minerals?
A
Through a balanced diet.
6
Q
What mineral is involved in bone density?
A
Calcium
7
Q
What is folic acid involved in?
A
RBC production.
8
Q
What does iodine help produce?
A
Thyroid Hormone
9
Q
What does Sodium help maintain?
A
Fluid volume.
10
Q
Name 3 minerals that we need to be able to use our muscles.
A
Sodium, Potassium and Calcium.
11
Q
What is the main reason we give Vitamin and Minerals to patients?
A
Deficiency that has not been able to be met though diet alone.
12
Q
Why are pregnant women prescribed prenatal vitamins?
A
A deficiency of Folic Acid in the firs trimester is linked to neural tube defects.
13
Q
Why would we give vitamins and minerals to a person through medication?
A
Deficiency and nor able to reach adequate lvls through diet alone .
14
Q
What would contraindicate giving vitamins & minerals to a patient?
A
- Allergy to the drug or colorants, additives or preservatives.
- Deficiency has not been found.
- Levels are already high in the blood.
15
Q
What are some known adverse reactions that may happen when a person is taken vitamin/ mineral supplements?
A
GI upset
16
Q
Are there any DDI’s to vitamin/mineral supplements, and if so, what are they?
A
- Fat soluble vitamins may not be absorbed when given with mineral oil, cholestyramine or colestipol.
- Potassium and Potassium sparing diuretics may lead to hyperkalemia.
- Antibiotics and Iron may become less effective if given with magnesium and calcium supplements.
17
Q
What could happen is you give Tums and Iron supplements at the same time?
A
I could hinder the absorption of the iron because the calcium in tums will bind to the iron which will not allow for it to be absorbed.
18
Q
What happens when we take Magnesium and Antibiotics at the same time?
A
Magnesium will bind to the antibiotics and prevent absorption of the medication.
19
Q
For our daily intake, would we require more daily intake of vitamins or minerals?
A
Minerals.
20
Q
What are the vitamins that we need to know?
A
●Ascorbic acid
●Calcifediol
●Cholecalciferol
●Cyanocobalamin
●Ergocalciferol
●Niacin
●Phytonadione
●Thiamine
●Vitamin A
●Vitamin E
21
Q
Explain water soluble vitamins.
A
- Dissolve in water
- Easily excreted in urine
- Daily intake needed - Vitamin B complex & Vitamin C
22
Q
Explain fat soluble vitamins.
A
- Dissolve in fat
- Stored in liver & daily intake not necessary
- A, D, E, K
23
Q
What would be the indication for giving a patient Vitamin A supplements?
A
- Deficiency and malnutrition
- For support of wound healing
24
Q
What does vitamin A help support?
A
Promotes cell growth
Collagen production
Immune function
Inflammation control
Blood vessel formation.
25
What are some S&S of vitamin A deficiency?
* Night blindness & vision problems
* Increases susceptibility to infections.
* Dry skin
* Dry eyes
* Impaired wound healing
26
What are the S&S of Hypervitaminosis A (Vitamin A toxicity) ?
* Mouth ulcers
* Cracked fingernails
* Bone pain
* Loss of appetite
* Cracked corners of the mouth
* Blurry vision / vision changes
* Dizziness
* Severe permanent liver damage
* CNS effects
* GI effects
27
Name some foods that are high in Vitamin A?
Dairy, Egg yolks, leafy green vegetables and fruits.
28
What would indicate the need to give a patient Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) ?
* Deficiency (scurvy is severe deficiency)
* Enhances PO iron absorption
* Wound healing
29
What are some food that contain Vitamin C?
Vegetables, Fruit & Liver.
30
What are some S&S for Ascorbic acid/ vitamin C deficiency?
* Bleeding , nose bleed & bleeding gums & Gingivitis- tooth loss.
* Fatigue
* Joint pain
* Poor wound healing
* Hair loss
* delayed healing
31
With Vitamin C deficiency, what is the reason we experience hair loss, nosebleeds and easy bruising?
The loss of collagen.
32
Define Mega dose.
Significantly larger than recommended amount of a nutrient which may increase the excretion of oxalate the the urine, which may combine with calcium to form kidney stones.
33
What happens when vitamin C is given with Iron?
Increases Iron absorption.
34
What is Scurvy?
Scurvy is a disease caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C in the diet. Early symptoms of scurvy include: weakness and sore arms and legs
35
What is Vitamin C essential for?
Collagen Synthesis
immune function
Wound healing
Antioxidant to protect cells from damage
36
Are there any adverse drug reactions with administering Vitamin C to a patient?
Kidney stones w/ mega doses.
37
What would indicate the need to give a patient Calcifediol, Cholecalciferol, Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D)
Deficiency & malnutrition
38
How come vitamin D has such a large factor in bone health?
It increases the absorption of calcium and phosphorous from the intestines, which is what gives bones their strength.
39
Whare are some signs of Vitamin D deficiency?
* Rickets - Bones are soft an weak (mostly pediatric)
* Osteomalacia - In adults. Soft bones due to mineral deficiencies
* Osteoporosis - Thinning of bones that lose density and become brittle.
* Tetany - Decreased calcium in the blood which is involved in muscle contraction.
40
What are the S&S associated with Rickets?
Bowed legs, delayed growth & skeletal deformities due to impaired bone mineralization.
41
What can happen if a patient is experiencing Hypervitaminosis D ( Too much vitamin D)
* Fatigue
* loss of appetite
* weight loss
* excessive thirst
* excessive urination
* dehydration - high calcium levels causes kidneys to excrete more water to balance excess calcium.
* constipation
* irritability
* nervousness
42
What are some food sources of Vitamin D?
Dairy, cereal, butter, eggs and fish.
43
What is another name for Cyanocobalamin?
Vitamin B12
44
What is B12 essential for?
RBC formation, Nerve health and DNA synthesis.
45
What are the indications for giving a patient Cyanocobalamin/ Vitamin B12?
* Pernicious anemia
* Deficiency and malnutrition
* ETOH (alcohol damages liver and ability to store and release B12)
* Malabsorption syndrome
* Vegan diet
* Prolonged use of PPIs or H2 blockers
46
What can deficiency in Vitamin B12 lead to?
Decreased production of rapidly dividing cells in the mucous membranes which causes symptoms such as cheilosis (cracked lips) , glossitis & stomatitis (sores in the mouth)
47
What are S&S for Cyanocobalamin/ Vitamin B12 deficiency?
* Megaloblastic anemia
* Mucous membranes – cheilosis, glossitis, stomatitis
* Neurologic - paresthesia, balance problems, memory loss, cognitive difficulties due to impaired myelin production and nerve damage.
48
What are the indication for the need to give a patient Vitamin E supplements?
Deficiency
premie babies - cannot absorb & store.
Vit. E may low in metabolic syndrome such as obesity, HTN & Insulin resistance r/t oxidative stress & inflammation.
Reduced wound healing r/t reduced inflammation - promotes tissue repair.
49
What is Vitamin E essential for?
It has antioxidant properties which helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
50
What are the S&S for Vitamin E toxicity?
* Nausea
* Gastric distress
* Abdominal cramps
* Diarrhea
* Headache
* Fatigue
* Easy bruising and bleeding - Due to excessive Vitamin E interfering with blood clotting.
51
What are some food sources of Vitamin E?
Fruits, Fish, Meats & Nuts.
52
What is another name for Niacin?
Vitamin B3
53
What is Niacin used for?
Energy metabolism & functioning of the nervous system.
54
What would indicate the need to give a patient Niacin/Vitamin B3 supplements?
* Niacin deficiency also called Pellagra - Due to malabsorption
* Lipid lowering agent (reduces LDL's and Triglycerides and raises HDL levels)
55
What are the 3 "D" symptoms of Pellagra?
Dermatitis, Diarrhea and Dementia.
56
What are the S&S of Niacin deficiency?
Mucous membranes – cheilosis, glossitis, stomatitis
57
What are some known adverse reactions that may happen when a patient is given Niacin/Vitamin B3 supplements?
Flushing of skin, pruritus (itching of the skin) , and GI distress may occur at high doses
58
What are some food sources of Niacin?
Beans, Yeast, Whole Grain and Turkey.
59
What is another name for Phytonadione?
Vitamin K
60
What does Vitamin K have a key role in?
Blood clotting due to activating proteins necessary for coagulation.
61
Where is Phytonadione/ Vitamin K synthesized?
By GI normal flora
62
What would indicate the need to give a patient Phytonadione/ Vitamin K supplements?
* Deficiency - may happen if combined with antibiotics, since antibiotics gut flora involved in producing Vitamin K - Can increase risk of bleeding.
* Warfarin excess (Antidote for Warfarin OD)
63
What can happen when administering Vitamin K via IV?
Death has occurred.
64
What do we need to do if Vitamin K and Warfarin needs to be given at the same time?
Monitor labs closely because Vitamin K may make Warfarin less effective as they are contradicting each other.
65
What medication will Vitamin K interfere with?
Warfarin
66
What are S&S of Vitamin K toxicity?
* Jaundice
* hyperbilirubinemia (Excessive bilirubin in the blood)
* hemolytic anemia, and kernicterus (a form of brain damage) in infants
67
How come Vitamin K is routinely given to infants within an hour after birth?
Newborns are born with low levels of vitamin K (it doesn't effectively cross the placenta) , and gut bacteria isn't fully developed at birth. The low Vitamin K levels puts the infants at a much higher risk of bleeding.
68
From which food sources can we get Vitamin K from?
Cheese & vegetables
69
What is another name for Thiamine?
Vitamin B1
70
What is B1/ Thiamine crucial for?
Carb metabolism & proper nerve function
71
What are the indications for the need to give a patient Thiamine/Vitamin B1?
* Beriberi is a thiamine deficiency
* Wernicke-Korskoff ’s (alcoholic) encephalopathy - severe neurological disorder.
* Peripheral neuritis
* Deficiency and malnutrition
* ETOH
* Malabsorption syndromes
72
What are the symptoms of Beriberi?
Muscle weakness, nerve damage & heart problems.
73
What symptoms does Wernicke-Korskoff ’s cause?
Confusion, memory loss & motor dysfunction due to impaired brain function.
74
What interferes with thiamine absorption and utilization?
Alcohol. Alcohol use may lead to thiamine deficiency.
75
What can we treat with Thiamine?
Peripheral neuritis - a condition involving inflammation of the peripheral nerves.
76
What are S&S of too much thiamine?
Restlessness, Irritability, HA, sweating & hypersensitivity.
77
What are some food sources of thiamine?
Meat, fish, beans and whole grain.
78
What are the Minerals that we need to know for the exam?
●Calcium
●Magnesium
●Phosphorus
●Sodium
●Potassium
Chefs, Make, Perfectly, Seasoned, Pies.
79
Why do we need Calcium?
For musculoskeletal, nerve, and cardiovascular function
80
What is Calcium essential for?
Muscle contraction, neurotransmission, maintaining heart rhythm & aids in bone mineralization.
81
what would be some indications for the need to administer Calcium supplements to a patient?
* Deficiency
* Reduce risk of osteoporosis
* Used in conjunction with Vitamin D to increase calcium absorption
82
What signs may calcium deficiency cause?
Muscle cramps, tetany ( muscle spasms) increased risk of osteoporosis.
83
What group of people often need calcium supplements?
People with low dietary intake or increased needs such as postmenopausal women.
84
Which vitamin increases calcium absorption?
Vitamin D increased calcium absorption in the intestines.
85
What can calcium toxicity cause?
Nausea
Kidney stones
Heart arrythmias
86
What are some food sources for calcium?
Dairy, Cereal, Salmon
87
Why do we need Magnesium?
Help cells perform their chemical reactions which is particularly important in the skeletal and cardiac muscle systems.
88
What does magnesium have a critical role in?
Muscle contractility, makin sure we have proper muscle functioning and a heart rhythm.
89
What are some indications for the need to administer Magnesium supplements in patients?
* Deficiency - To maintain normal muscle & nerve function
* Antacid or laxative - relieve constipation & heartburn
* Decrease uterine contractions during preterm labor.
* Prevent seizures and recurrent preeclampsia - neuroprotective agent.
90
When giving magnesium during labour, how often do we need to check for toxicity?
Q4H due to magnesium levels being given is very high.
91
What are some S&S of Magnesium toxicity?
* AV node conduction suppression
* Muscle weakness
* Respiratory depression
* Diarrhea
* ANTIDOTE: Calcium Gluconate
92
What are some food sources of magnesium?
Meats, Seafood, Milk, Cheese, Green leafy vegetables and nuts.
93
What does Phosphorus do?
Regulates acid-base balance
Supports bone formation by pairing with calcium to re-mineralize bones
Energy production and storage
Hormone activation
Central component of ATP production.
94
What would indicate the need to give a patient Phosphorous supplements?
* Deficiency
* May prevent kidney stone formation
95
What are some signs of Phosphorus deficiency?
Weakened bones, muscle weakness and impaired energy production.
96
What does having adequate Phosphorus levels prevent?
Formation of Kidney Stones due to reducing the likelihood of calcium phosphate crystals forming,
97
What are the symptoms of hyperphosphatemia?
Itching, muscle cramps and joint pain.
Increased calcium deposits in tissue which may lead to kidney damage, cardiovascular issues and bone pain.
98
In severe cases, what may hyperphosphatemia lead to?
Arrythmias
99
What are some food sources of phosphorus?
Milk, Cheese, Meat, Eggs
100
What does Potassium do?
Regulate acid-base balance ensuring correct pH of blood.
Nerve action potentials, and electrical excitability of muscles.
101
What does Potassium allow nerve cells to do?
Transmit electrical signals
102
What does Potassium allow muscle cells to do?
Allow for electrical excitability which gives us good muscle function and contraction.
103
Why would we need to give Potassium to a patient?
Deficiency
104
What can Potassium deficiency lead to?
Muscle cramps and palpitations due to its impact in the muscles and heart cell function.
105
What are some S&S of Potassium toxicity?
EKG changes leading to heart arrythmias
Muscle cramps
Palpitations
106
What happens if we give Potassium via IV push?
We would immediately kill someone.
107
What could high or low potassium level fluctuations cause?
Premature Ventricular Contractions. A single premature Ventricular Contraction caught on an EKG can indicate that the body is starting to have a reaction to the fluctuation and measure should be taken in place to avoid arrythmias developing.
108
What are some food sources of Potassium?
Beans, Dairy, Vegetables and Clams.
109
Prior to administering Vitamin & Mineral supplements to patients, what are some assessments that we should be making?
* nutritional assessment, see if dietary measures can alleviate needing supplements.
* Screen for any medical conditions and medications
* Evaluate skin, mucous membranes, pulse, respirations, and BP
* Complete blood count (CBC), clotting times, basic metabolic panel (BMP) and magnesium levels
110
Prior to giving patients Vitamin & Mineral supplements what are some nursing diagnoses that we should anticipate?
* Impaired comfort related to GI discomfort
* Malnutrition risk related to replacement therapy
* Knowledge deficit regarding drug therapy
111
When giving patients Vitamin & Mineral supplements what implementations should we be prepared to do?
○Assess the patient's general physical condition
○Advise the patient to avoid the use of over-the-counter preparations that
contain the same vitamins
○Take drug with meals to alleviate GI distress
○Provide patient teaching
112
A parent brings their 4-year-old child to the clinic because they have noticed that their child's legs are becoming bowed. The child also has a history of delayed growth. Which of the following conditions is most likely causing the child’s symptoms?
Rickets
113
What is the antidote to Magnesium toxicity, and how does it work?
Calcium Gluconate. It counteracts the effects of excess magnesium and restore normal function.
114
A nurse is caring for an infant who has just been born. The nurse knows that vitamin K will be administered shortly after birth. What is the primary reason for this intervention?
Newborns are at an increased risk of excessive bleeding due to low levels of vitamin at birth
