A 35-year-old female is diagnosed with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency anemia (pernicious anemia).How should the nurse respond when the patient asks what causes pernicious anemia? A decrease in ______ is the most likely cause. A) Ferritin B) Gastric enzymes C) Intrinsic factor D) Erythropoietin

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The underlying alteration in pernicious anemia (PA)is the absence of intrinsic factor (IF),an enzyme required for gastric absorption of dietary vitamin B??,a vitamin essential for nuclear maturation and DNA synthesis in red blood cells.
PA is not due to a decrease in ferritin,but a lack of the intrinsic factor.
PA is not due to a decrease in gastric enzymes,but a lack of the intrinsic factor.
PA is not due to a decrease in erythropoietin,but a lack of intrinsic factor.

A 35-Year-Old Female Is Diagnosed with Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia

A 35-Year-Old Female Is Diagnosed with Vitamin B₁₂ Deficiency Anemia