Deck 6: Vitamins

Question 1

The nurse is preparing an educational seminar on nutritional needs for a community group. What should the nurse say as an introduction to the topic of vitamins?

A) The need for vitamins is greatest in children and diminishes with aging
B) Vitamins are necessary for good health, but are needed in varying amounts
C) Achieving adequate vitamin intake is difficult, but everyone can learn how to do it
D) Vitamins were discovered about 50 years ago and have recently become the subject of intensive research

Answer 1

Vitamins are necessary for good health, but are needed in varying amounts

Question 2

The nurse is planning a program about healthy eating for high school students. What should the nurse explain about the role of vitamins?

A) Provide energy
B) Are all synthesized by the body
C) Require ideal foods for maximum absorption
D) Are necessary for proper growth and development

Answer 2

Are necessary for proper growth and development

Question 3

A client asks why some vitamins are antioxidants. What should the nurse explain about an antioxidant?

A) Reduces elevated lipid levels
B) Is synthesized in the skin and acts like a hormone
C) Prevents damage to cells from free radicals, metabolic by-products
D) Is a beneficial form of vitamins that promotes digestion and absorption of nutrients

Answer 3

Prevents damage to cells from free radicals, metabolic by-products

Question 4

A client with a history of alcohol abuse seeks medical attention for the onset of new symptoms. For which signs of a vitamin deficiency should the nurse assess this client? (Select all that apply.)

A) Projectile vomiting and diarrhea
B) Extreme tiredness and irritability
C) Wide fluctuations in blood glucose
D) Blurred vision and difficulty seeing in the dark
E) Numbness and tingling along with loss of balance

Question 5

The mother of a newborn asks why the baby received a vitamin shot and what it was. What should the nurse respond to the mother about the vitamin and the purpose?

A) Vitamin A, which prevents vision problems
B) Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that stimulates growth
C) Vitamin K, which prevents hemorrhagic conditions in newborns
D) Vitamin D, which is necessary for digestion and absorption of milk

Question 6

The nurse instructs on folate-rich foods to a client planning to become pregnant. Which food selection indicates that teaching was effective?

A) Milk
B) Hamburger
C) Spinach salad
D) Fresh orange juice

Question 7

An older client is experiencing vision problems, dry eyes, and squinting despite wearing corrective lenses. Which vitamin should the nurse suspect is deficient in this client?

A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin B-6
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin D

Question 8

The nurse is caring for clients with a variety of health problems. Which client should the nurse recognize as most likely to experience a vitamin deficiency?

A) Gastritis
B) Alcoholic
C) Appendicitis
D) Hypercholesterolemia

Question 9

A client is recovering from a gastrectomy. Which information should the nurse include when providing discharge teaching to this client?

A) There is risk of pernicious anemia so regular vitamin B12 injections will be needed
B) The risk of dehydration can be reduced with vitamin C supplements along with plenty of water
C) The risk of skin changes can be reduced with vitamin E supplements to prevent damage from free radicals
D) There is a risk for generalized vitamin deficiency so it is important to take a daily vitamin supplement in the morning to promote absorption

Question 10

A frail older resident of a long-term care facility is admitted for an acute health problem. Which symptom should suggest to the nurse that a vitamin deficiency exists?

A) Excessive thirst
B) Muscle pain and weakness
C) Frequent headaches behind the eyes
D) Confusion when awakened in the night

Question 11

A client lost 35 pounds over the past 3 months on a very low-carbohydrate diet. What physical sign should suggest to the nurse that this client is experiencing a vitamin deficiency?

A) Swollen, shiny tongue
B) Generalized skin lesions
C) Reddened, bleeding gums
D) Difficulty maintaining balance