Which of the following vitamins are water-soluble?

Appeared in: JSSH Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

Vitamins are classified based on their solubility into two groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
Water-soluble vitamins, which include Vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins, dissolve in water and are not stored in the body for long periods.
They are readily excreted in the urine, which means they need to be replenished regularly through diet.
The correct option identifies Vitamin B and Vitamin C as water-soluble.

Option A: Both Vitamin A and Vitamin E are fat-soluble vitamins. They are stored in the body's liver and fatty tissues.
Option C: Both Vitamin D and Vitamin K are fat-soluble vitamins. A helpful mnemonic for fat-soluble vitamins is 'ADEK'.
Option D: Both Vitamin A and Vitamin K are fat-soluble vitamins, part of the 'ADEK' group.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of vitamins based on solubility (water-soluble vs. fat-soluble) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding vitamin solubility is crucial for patient education on diet and supplementation. Water-soluble vitamins need to be consumed daily, while fat-soluble vitamins can accumulate and cause toxicity.
Nurses must monitor for signs of toxicity (hypervitaminosis) in patients taking high doses of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), especially those with liver disease or on long-term supplementation.
What if? If a patient has a fat malabsorption syndrome like Crohn's disease or cystic fibrosis, they are at high risk for deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins, as their absorption is tied to fat digestion. This requires specific monitoring and supplementation, sometimes in water-miscible forms.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core question: it asks to identify the pair of water-soluble vitamins.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about vitamin classification.
Recall the common mnemonic 'ADEK' for the four fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamin A, D, E, and K.
Evaluate each option. Any option containing a vitamin from the 'ADEK' group must be incorrect.
Option A (A, E), Option C (D, K), and Option D (A, K) all contain fat-soluble vitamins.
Option B contains Vitamin B and Vitamin C. Since these are not in the 'ADEK' group, they are the water-soluble vitamins.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of vitamins based on solubility (water-soluble vs. fat-soluble).
Stem keywords: vitamins, water-soluble
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following

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E6 Biochemistry U Satyanarayana— Part 1 (pp 26-420 of 840) p. 108-110

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 p. 195-197

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