Scurvy is due to deficiency of?

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance -2021

Explanation

Scurvy is a disease caused by a severe deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a protein that provides structure to blood vessels, skin, gums, and bones.
Without sufficient Vitamin C, collagen synthesis is impaired, leading to fragile tissues, bleeding, and poor wound healing.
Key symptoms include bleeding gums, easy bruising, joint pain, and fatigue.

Option A: Vitamin A deficiency does not cause scurvy.
Option B: Vitamin B refers to a complex of different vitamins. While deficiencies in B vitamins (like B1, B9, B12) cause serious conditions such as Beriberi, Pellagra, or megaloblastic anemia, they do not cause scurvy.
Option D: Vitamin D deficiency does not cause scurvy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vitamin Deficiency Diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing role is dietary assessment and patient education. Nurses must identify at-risk populations (e.g., elderly, alcoholics, individuals with poor diets) and educate them on the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables to prevent scurvy.
When caring for a patient with scurvy, nurses must use gentle handling techniques to prevent bruising, skin tears, and fractures due to the fragility of their tissues and bones.
What if? If a patient presents with unexplained bruising and fatigue but has normal platelet counts, a nurse should consider nutritional deficiencies like scurvy and inquire about their dietary habits, especially their intake of fresh produce.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question. The question asks for the specific vitamin deficiency that causes scurvy.
This is a direct recall question based on knowledge of nutrition and deficiency diseases.
Mentally review the major vitamins and their associated deficiency diseases.
Recall that Vitamin C is linked to collagen synthesis and its deficiency leads to scurvy.
Evaluate the other options: Vitamin A (vision), Vitamin B complex (various metabolic roles), and Vitamin D (bone health/calcium metabolism) to confirm they are incorrect.
Select the option that correctly links the disease (scurvy) with its causative deficiency (Vitamin C).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q5DjlAXJk5wT08yKsgtiQq

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

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

Practise the full IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance -2021

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