Name the disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C?

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse-2019

Explanation

Scurvy is the specific disease caused by a severe deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
The primary pathology in scurvy is the impaired synthesis of collagen, which is vital for maintaining the integrity of connective tissues, blood vessels, and bone.
Classic symptoms directly result from this collagen defect and include bleeding gums, poor wound healing, petechial hemorrhages, and pain in the limbs.
Humans cannot synthesize Vitamin C and must obtain it from dietary sources like citrus fruits, guava, berries, and green vegetables.

Option A: Rickets is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D, not Vitamin C. Vitamin D is essential for calcium and phosphorus absorption, which is necessary for bone mineralization.
Option C: Pellagra results from a deficiency of Niacin (Vitamin B3), not Vitamin C. It is classically characterized by the '3 Ds': dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.
Option D: Beri-Beri is caused by a deficiency of Thiamine (Vitamin B1), not Vitamin C. It primarily affects the nervous system (dry beriberi) and the cardiovascular system (wet beriberi).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Vitamin Deficiency Diseases helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must be able to identify populations at risk for scurvy, including the elderly, individuals with alcohol use disorder, and those on highly restrictive diets (e.g., due to food fads or certain developmental disorders).
Assessment for scurvy includes inspecting the gums for swelling and bleeding, checking the skin for petechiae or easy bruising, and inquiring about joint or limb pain and poor wound healing.
Patient education is a key nursing intervention, focusing on dietary counseling to increase intake of Vitamin C-rich foods.

How to Approach the Question

This is a direct factual recall question.
First, identify the core of the question: it asks for the disease linked to 'deficiency of vitamin C'.
Access your knowledge base of vitamins and their corresponding deficiency diseases.
Systematically evaluate each option:
Rickets is linked to Vitamin D.
Scurvy is linked to Vitamin C.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QLXbMYMrMZNapnrJl89FMI

E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & DieteticsHarbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) p. 370-372

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 513-515

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 448-450

Practise the full NHM MP Staff Nurse-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.