Which of the following vitamin enhances blood clotting?

OSSSC Nursing Officer-2021

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: OSSSC Nursing Officer-2021

Explanation

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for blood coagulation.
It acts as a coenzyme for the synthesis of key clotting factors in the liver.
These Vitamin K-dependent factors are Prothrombin (Factor II), Factor VII, Factor IX, and Factor X.
Without sufficient Vitamin K, these factors are produced in an inactive form, leading to impaired clotting and an increased risk of bleeding.

Option B: The Vitamin B complex is primarily involved in cell metabolism, energy production, and the formation of red blood cells. It does not have a direct role in synthesizing clotting factors.
Option C: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is an antioxidant crucial for collagen synthesis, which strengthens blood vessel walls, and for immune function. While vessel integrity is part of hemostasis, Vitamin C does not participate in the enzymatic cascade of clotting factor synthesis.
Option D: Vitamin A (Retinol) is vital for vision (especially night vision), immune function, and epithelial cell growth. It has no direct function in the coagulation cascade.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Role of vitamins in hemostasis and blood coagulation helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses administer Vitamin K injections to all newborns shortly after birth to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a standard and critical patient safety practice.
In adult care, Vitamin K is the primary antidote for reversing an overdose of the oral anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin). Nurses must be prepared to administer it in cases of excessive anticoagulation or bleeding.
What if? If a patient on warfarin therapy suddenly increases their intake of green leafy vegetables (rich in Vitamin K), their INR (International Normalized Ratio) would likely decrease. This reduces the anticoagulant effect and increases their risk for a blood clot. Nurses must educate patients on maintaining a consistent Vitamin K intake.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of the specific functions of different vitamins.
Identify the core concept in the question stem: 'enhances blood clotting'.
Systematically review the primary function of each vitamin listed in the options.
Recall that Vitamin K's name is derived from the German word 'Koagulation,' which directly links it to the clotting process.
Eliminate the other options by confirming their primary roles: Vitamin A (vision), Vitamin B complex (metabolism), and Vitamin C (collagen, immunity).
Select Vitamin K as the only option directly involved in the synthesis of clotting factors.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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