The other name of ascorbic acid is?

Appeared in: MNS 2015

Explanation

Ascorbic acid is the scientific chemical name for Vitamin C.
It is a water-soluble vitamin that the body cannot store, so it must be obtained daily through diet or supplements.
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, which is critical for wound healing, and also functions as a powerful antioxidant.
A severe deficiency of Vitamin C leads to scurvy, a disease characterized by anemia, bleeding gums, and poor wound healing.

Option A: The chemical name for Vitamin A is Retinol, not ascorbic acid.
Option B: Vitamin B is not a single vitamin but a complex of several different vitamins (e.g., Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin).
Option C: The chemical name for Vitamin D is Calciferol, not ascorbic acid.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Chemical names of vitamins as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Knowing the chemical names of vitamins is fundamental for accurate patient education, interpreting lab results, and understanding supplement prescriptions.
A deficiency in Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) leads to scurvy. Nurses should be able to recognize its signs, such as bleeding gums, petechiae (small red/purple spots on the skin), and impaired wound healing, especially in at-risk populations.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is crucial for iron absorption. Nurses may educate patients to take iron supplements with a source of Vitamin C, like orange juice, to enhance absorption.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing foundational knowledge in nutrition and biochemistry.
First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'ascorbic acid'.
Next, access your knowledge base of common vitamins and their scientific names.
Systematically evaluate each option to find the correct match for 'ascorbic acid'.
Option A (Vit. A) is Retinol. Option B (Vit. B) is a complex. Option D (Vit. D) is Calciferol. Option C (Vit. C) is Ascorbic Acid.
Confirm that Vitamin C is the correct answer and the others are incorrect distractors.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q-HM0KN0Zr0HCfzi-lRUhI

E6 Nutrition Monika Sharma 3e p. 110-112

E6 Biochemistry U Satyanarayana— Part 1 (pp 26-420 of 840) p. 151-153

Practise the full MNS 2015

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