The source of vitamin D is?

Appeared in: Tripura CHO - 2021

Explanation

Vitamin D is obtained from multiple sources, not just a single one.
Sunlight is a major source, as UV rays trigger Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Dietary sources, although less significant for many people, include foods of animal origin like egg yolk and butter.
Since all the listed options are valid sources of Vitamin D, 'All the above' is the most complete and correct choice.

Option A: This option is incomplete. While sunlight is the primary natural source of Vitamin D, it is not the only source. The body also obtains Vitamin D from dietary intake.
Option B: This is a valid dietary source of Vitamin D but represents only one of many sources. It ignores the most significant source (sunlight) and other dietary options.
Option C: Similar to egg yolk, butter is a valid dietary source but is an incomplete answer. It overlooks both sunlight and other important food sources.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Sources of Vitamin D as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients on preventing Vitamin D deficiency through a combination of safe sun exposure and dietary choices.
It is important to identify and screen at-risk populations for deficiency, including the elderly, individuals with limited sun exposure (e.g., institutionalized), people with dark skin, and those with malabsorption conditions.
What if a patient has chronic kidney disease? The answer becomes more complex. The kidneys are essential for converting Vitamin D into its active form. Such patients cannot rely on sunlight or diet alone and often require supplementation with an active form of Vitamin D, like calcitriol.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully. It asks for 'the source' of Vitamin D, implying there could be one or more.
Evaluate each option independently to determine its validity. Is sunlight a source? Yes. Is egg yolk a source? Yes. Is butter a source? Yes.
When you find that multiple individual options are correct, look for a composite option like 'All the above'.
Since options A, B, and C are all factually correct sources of Vitamin D, the most comprehensive and accurate answer is 'All the above'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 152-154

E6 Nutrition Monika Sharma 3e p. 130-132

Practise the full Tripura CHO - 2021

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