NURS 3100 Exam 1
** Compare and contrast the characteristics and causes of microcytic, macrocytic,
pernicious, and hypochromic anemias. - ANS-- macrocytic: large cells, low cell count
- microcytic: small cells, large cell count
- pernicious:
- hypochromic: **
** Describe the potential toxic effects of self-medicating with 100 IU of vitamin E versus
over 400 IU of vitamin E (see articles by PJN posted on N3100 HusckyCT). - ANS-- If it
is 400 IU it increases your risk for heart attack, reduces platelet aggregation; If it is
under 100 IU then it acts as aspirin **
** Disease of the liver or kidney can impair the activation of which vitamin? - ANS--
Vitamin D **
** How can vitamin C be preserved in foods? How is it destroyed in foods? What about
vitamin E? Folate? Beta carotene? - ANS-- Vitamin C: light sensitive (ex. milk cartons
are opaque) **
** How have recent studies influenced the dietary reference intake of Vitamin K? -
ANS-- Increase in intake for vitamin K, supporting bone mineralization and preventing
osteoporosis. **
** List 10 excellent food sources and 10 poor food sources each of pre-formed vitamin
A, beta carotene, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6. (Make
some study cards for this question and really learn this! There are always NCLEX
questions on food sources of nutrients.) - ANS-**
** List 3 substances that can lead to vitamin K deficiency. - ANS-- Prematurity, fat
malabsorption, and broad spectrum antiinfectives. **
** List 4 functions of vitamin D and 4 functions of vitamin A in the body. - ANS-- Vitamin
D: 1) calcium and phosphorous absorption, 2) bone mineralization, 3) renal absorption
phosphate, calcium, 4) works together with PTH, and calcitonin to regulate calcium
- Vitamin A: **
, ** What are the clinical sequelae of excessive vitamin D intake? Excessive vitamin A
intake (consider pre-formed vitamin A versus beta-carotene)? - ANS-- Vitamin A: blurred
vision, birth defects, and vomiting - beta-carotene
- Vitamin D: hypercalcimia, nephrocalinious **
** What is a "pro-vitamin" (also known as a "pre-cursor")? Give 2 examples. - ANS--
Vitamin A the pro-vitamin is beta-carotene
- Vitamin D is a pro-vitamin and D3 is the active form
- Folic acid is a pro-vitamin, so the active is folate **
** What physiological problems, drugs, or food additives can reduce the absorption of
fat soluble vitamins? - ANS--hepatitis, bile duct obstruction, cirrhosis, cystic fibrosis,
laxative, olestra **
** Why is intrinsic factor important? What effect does Helicobacter pylori infection have
on IF synthesis? - ANS-- Important in absorption for B12, effects the synthesis of IF
even people who never get ulcers from it **
** Xerophthalmia is a major cause of blindness in lesser developed countries. Why?
How is this problem being addressed? - ANS-- Xerophthalmia is an abnormality in the
tear production of the eye which causes a drying of the cornea and a thickening of the
conjunctiva (inside of the eye)
- This is due to vitamin A deficiency, it is being addressed by being given supplements
because they do not have the food sources that contain vitamin A. **
** Your patient consumes adequate amounts of dietary retinol and beta-carotene. Why
might he still have signs of vitamin A deficiency such as difficulty adapting to dark
rooms? - ANS-- This could be because it is not being absorbed correctly, and vitamin A
is a fat soluble vitamin. **
** Your patient just learned that he would need to be on warfarin permanently following
his heart valve replacement. He expresses concern to you about giving up some foods
altogether. What key pieces of advice would you give him regarding regulating intake of
fruit and vegetables? Vitamin/mineral supplements? - ANS-- Continue having a
consistent intake of the recommended serving, avoid vitamin K **
** Your patient takes a calcium/vitamin D supplement daily. Give 2 reasons why her
25-cholecalciferol levels may still be low. - ANS-- Dysfunctional kidney or liver, not
eating vitamin D with fat (because it is a fat soluble vitamin), little exposure to sunlight.
**