Raj. CHO -2020: Which of the following is a Water Soluble vitamin?

Raj. CHO -2020

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2020

Explanation

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin.
Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are readily absorbed into the tissues for immediate use.
Because they are not stored in the body in significant amounts, excess is excreted through the urine, necessitating regular dietary intake.
The B-complex vitamins are the other group of water-soluble vitamins.

Option A: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, not water-soluble. It is stored in the liver and fatty tissues.
Option C: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight and is stored in fat.
Option D: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions as an antioxidant. It is stored in the body's fatty tissues.

Visual 1: Chart - A two-column chart visually separating vitamins into 'Fat-Soluble' (A, D, E, K) and 'Water-Soluble' (B-Complex, C). Each entry should list major food sources (e.g., Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, peppers; Vitamin A: Carrots, liver).
Visual 2: Infographic - An infographic illustrating the path of water-soluble vs. fat-soluble vitamins in the body, showing absorption, transport, storage (for fat-soluble), and excretion (for water-soluble).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of Vitamins (Water-Soluble vs. Fat-Soluble) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must educate patients that fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) can accumulate to toxic levels if over-supplemented, a condition known as hypervitaminosis. This is less of a risk with water-soluble vitamins as excess is usually excreted.
When assessing a patient's nutritional status, it's important to look for signs of Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), such as bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and easy bruising, especially in at-risk populations like the elderly, alcoholics, or those with malabsorption syndromes.
What if? If a patient has chronic kidney disease, the ability to excrete excess water-soluble vitamins is impaired. In this case, even Vitamin C could accumulate to harmful levels, and the nurse must monitor for signs of toxicity and ensure supplementation is guided by a physician or dietitian.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Water Soluble vitamin'.
Next, recall the two primary classifications of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble.
Use the mnemonic 'ADEK' to remember the four fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.
Scan the given options: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E.
Compare the options to your mnemonic. You can immediately eliminate A, D, and E as they are all fat-soluble.
The remaining option, Vitamin C, is therefore the correct water-soluble vitamin.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & Dietetics 2nd Edition Harbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) p. 26-464