The nurse instructs the client with vit B 12 deficiency to eat which food to obtain the best supplement?

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse-2022

Explanation

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is synthesized by microorganisms and is found almost exclusively in animal-derived foods.
Rich dietary sources include meat (especially organ meats like liver), fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products like milk and cheese.
Plant-based foods do not naturally contain Vitamin B12, making animal products the best and most reliable dietary source for correcting a deficiency.

Option A: Whole grains are a good source of other B vitamins, such as thiamine (B1), and fiber, but they do not naturally contain Vitamin B12 unless they are artificially fortified.
Option B: Green leafy vegetables are an excellent source of folate (Vitamin B9) and Vitamin K, but they do not contain Vitamin B12.
Option D: Broccoli and Brussels sprouts are rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin K, but they do not provide any Vitamin B12.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Dietary management of Vitamin B12 deficiency to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Nurses play a crucial role in providing accurate dietary counseling for patients with nutritional deficiencies. For B12 deficiency, this includes identifying at-risk groups like vegans, vegetarians, older adults, and patients with malabsorption issues (e.g., pernicious anemia, post-gastrectomy).
What if the patient is a strict vegan? The nurse's recommendation must change. The nurse would need to educate the patient on the critical importance of consuming B12-fortified foods (like fortified cereals, plant-based milks, and nutritional yeast) or taking a B12 supplement, as a plant-based diet alone cannot correct the deficiency.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key nutrient in the question: Vitamin B12.
The question asks for the 'best' food source to supplement this vitamin.
Recall the primary dietary sources for Vitamin B12. The key distinguishing fact is its origin in animal products.
Evaluate each option based on this knowledge:
Whole grains: Source of other B vitamins.
Green leafy vegetables: Source of folate (B9).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 p. 196-198

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 110-112

E6 Biochemistry U Satyanarayana— Part 1 (pp 26-420 of 840) p. 141-143

Practise the full NHM MP Staff Nurse-2022

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