Which of the following vitamins is also referred to as pyridoxine?

Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024

Explanation

Vitamin B6 is the collective name for a group of three related compounds: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine.
Pyridoxine is one ofthe primary forms of Vitamin B6, often used in supplements, and is crucial for many metabolic processes.
Its active coenzyme form, pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), is essential for amino acid metabolism, including transamination and decarboxylation reactions.

Option B: Vitamin B12 is known as cobalamin. It is a complex, water-soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in neurological function and the formation of DNA and red blood cells.
Option C: Vitamin A is a group of fat-soluble compounds that includes retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid. It is fundamentally important for vision, immune function, and cellular communication.
Option D: Vitamin K refers to a group of fat-soluble vitamins, primarily phylloquinone (K1) and menaquinones (K2). Its primary function is to activate proteins required for blood clotting.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Alternative chemical names for essential vitamins as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must recognize that a deficiency in Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can cause peripheral neuropathy, microcytic anemia, and seizures.
It is crucial to monitor patients on certain medications, like isoniazid for tuberculosis, as they are at high risk for B6 deficiency and often require prophylactic pyridoxine supplementation to prevent nerve damage.
What if? If a patient on isoniazid develops tingling and numbness in their hands and feet, the nurse should suspect drug-induced peripheral neuropathy due to Vitamin B6 deficiency and notify the provider to initiate supplementation.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of vitamin nomenclature.
First, read the question carefully to identify the specific chemical name being asked: 'pyridoxine'.
Systematically review the options, trying to match the name to the vitamin.
Recall or deduce the common names for each vitamin: Vitamin B6 is pyridoxine, Vitamin B12 is cobalamin, Vitamin A is retinol, and Vitamin K is phylloquinone/menaquinones.
Select the option that correctly matches the name.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Biochemistry U Satyanarayana— Part 1 (pp 26-420 of 840) pp. 132-134, 134-136

E6 One Stop Resource all for your Exam Needs in Biochemistry (pp 6-135 of 140) p. 80-82

Practise the full DSSSB 13 August 2024

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