Which one of the following is a water-soluble vitamin?

Appeared in: SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-A)

Explanation

Vitamin C is classified as a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in water.
Water-soluble vitamins, including Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, are not stored in large amounts in the body.
Because they are not stored, excess amounts are typically excreted through the urine, which significantly reduces the risk of toxicity.
This property necessitates a regular and consistent dietary intake to prevent deficiency.

Option A: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It dissolves in fat and is stored in the body's liver and fatty tissues.
Option C: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is crucial for calcium absorption and maintaining bone health.
Option D: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. Its primary role is in the synthesis of clotting factors, making it essential for blood coagulation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of vitamins into water-soluble and fat-soluble categories as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in educating patients about the importance of a balanced diet to obtain adequate vitamins, as deficiencies can lead to specific diseases (e.g., scurvy from Vitamin C deficiency, beriberi from thiamine deficiency).
Understanding vitamin solubility is crucial for counseling patients on dietary supplements. The risk of toxicity from fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) is much higher than from water-soluble vitamins because they are stored in the body.
What if? A patient has chronic kidney disease and is on dialysis. The nurse must recognize that this patient is at higher risk for deficiencies of water-soluble vitamins (like B-complex and C) which are lost during dialysis, and simultaneously at higher risk for toxicity from fat-soluble vitamins due to impaired excretion.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on fundamental concepts in Nutrition and Biochemistry.
First, identify the key term in the question: 'water-soluble vitamin'.
Recall the two primary classifications of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
Use a mnemonic to remember the fat-soluble vitamins, such as 'ADEK' (for Vitamins A, D, E, and K).
Evaluate the given options against this mnemonic. Vitamins A, D, and K are all part of the 'ADEK' group, meaning they are fat-soluble.
By elimination, Vitamin C is the remaining option and is correctly identified as a water-soluble vitamin, along with the B-complex group.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of vitamins into water-soluble and fat-soluble categories.
Stem keywords: water-soluble vitamin
Lead-in keywords: Which one

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E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & DieteticsHarbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) p. 287-289

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 p. 201-203

E6 Nutrition Monika Sharma 3e p. 110-112

Practise the full SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-A)

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