Which of the following vitamins helps in wound healing?

BSF Staff Nurse - 2021

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: BSF Staff Nurse - 2021

Explanation

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is indispensable for the synthesis of collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, which provides structure and strength to healing wounds.
It functions as a critical co-factor for the enzymes responsible for stabilizing and cross-linking collagen fibers, a process essential for creating strong new tissue.
Vitamin C also supports immune function and acts as an antioxidant, protecting the healing tissue from damage by free radicals.

Option A: While Vitamin A is beneficial for wound healing, its primary role is in promoting epithelial cell differentiation and proliferation and supporting the immune response. It is not the most critical vitamin for the foundational step of collagen synthesis.
Option B: The Vitamin B complex primarily functions as coenzymes in the metabolic pathways that generate energy (ATP). While this energy is necessary for the cellular activities of wound healing, these vitamins do not directly participate in the structural formation of new tissue.
Option D: Vitamin D's primary role is in the regulation of calcium and phosphorus, which is crucial for bone health. It does not have a primary, direct role in the synthesis of collagen for soft tissue repair.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Role of vitamins in wound healing helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must perform nutritional assessments for patients with acute or chronic wounds (e.g., surgical wounds, pressure injuries), as deficiencies in key nutrients like Vitamin C can severely delay healing and increase the risk of infection.
Patient education should include dietary advice, emphasizing foods rich in Vitamin C (citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli), protein, and zinc to support tissue repair.
What if? If a patient has a chronic, non-healing wound and is also a smoker, the need for Vitamin C is even greater. Smoking depletes Vitamin C levels and causes vasoconstriction, both of which impair the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the wound, further hindering the healing process.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concept in the question stem, which is 'wound healing'.
Next, recall the fundamental biological process of tissue repair, which heavily relies on the formation of new collagen.
Review the functions of the vitamins listed in the options.
Differentiate between vitamins that provide structural components (like Vitamin C for collagen) and those that support metabolic processes (like Vitamin B for energy).
Connect Vitamin C directly to its essential role in collagen synthesis, identifying it as the most critical nutrient for the structural integrity of a healing wound.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 1 p. 58-60

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 6 pp. 76-78, 93-95