Scurvy is caused due to deficiency of?

GMCH Chandigarh - 2022

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: GMCH Chandigarh - 2022

Explanation

Scurvy is the clinical syndrome caused by a severe and chronic deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for the enzymes prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase, which are required for the synthesis of collagen.
A lack of Vitamin C impairs collagen formation, leading to weakened connective tissues and fragile blood vessels, which manifests as the classic signs of scurvy like bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and easy bruising.
The body cannot synthesize Vitamin C, so it must be obtained entirely from the diet through foods like citrus fruits, berries, and green vegetables.

Option A: Vitamin A deficiency does not cause scurvy. Its deficiency primarily affects vision and epithelial tissue integrity.
Option B: Vitamin B is a complex of several different vitamins. While their deficiencies cause significant diseases, none of them cause scurvy.
Option D: Vitamin D deficiency does not cause scurvy. It is primarily related to calcium and bone metabolism.

Visual 1: Infographic - A chart showing the classic signs of scurvy, such as bleeding gums, perifollicular hemorrhage (bleeding around hair follicles), and corkscrew hairs. This helps in visual recognition of the condition's symptoms.
Visual 2: Diagram - A simplified flowchart illustrating the pathophysiology: Vitamin C Deficiency → Impaired Collagen Synthesis → Weak Connective Tissues & Fragile Capillaries → Clinical Manifestations of Scurvy.
Visual 3: Table - A list of foods rich in Vitamin C, categorized by food groups (fruits, vegetables), to aid in patient education.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vitamin deficiencies and their associated diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to identify at-risk populations for scurvy, including the elderly, individuals with alcohol use disorder, those on restrictive diets, and patients with malabsorption issues.
A key nursing role involves dietary assessment and patient education on the importance of consuming Vitamin C-rich foods for prevention and treatment.
During physical assessment, nurses should look for oral signs like swollen, bleeding gums, and skin manifestations like petechiae or poor wound healing, which can be early indicators of Vitamin C deficiency.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core concept: The question asks for the specific vitamin deficiency that causes scurvy.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge of major vitamins and their associated deficiency diseases.
Systematically evaluate each option: Link Vitamin A to vision, Vitamin B complex to various metabolic and neurological issues, Vitamin C to collagen and scurvy, and Vitamin D to bone health.
Select the option that correctly pairs the vitamin with the disease mentioned in the stem.
Confirm your choice by recalling the key function of Vitamin C in collagen synthesis, which explains the symptoms of scurvy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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