Ana, 55 years old, is admitted to the hospital to rule out pernicious anemia. A Schilling test is ordered for Ana. The nurse recognizes that the primary purpose of the Schilling test is to determine the client's ability to:

Question

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Absorb vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia is caused by the inability to absorb vitamin B12 in the stomach due to a lack of intrinsic factor in the gastric juices. In the Schilling test, radioactive vitamin B12 is administered and its absorption and excretion can be ascertained through the urine.

Ana, 55 Years Old, Is Admitted to the Hospital to Rule