Dorothy is a 75-year-old woman with pernicious anemia. What treatment would her doctor recommend?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pernicious anemia is caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency due to a lack of intrinsic factor in the stomach, which impairs absorption of the vitamin. Thus, treatment involves regular injections of vitamin B-12 to correct the deficiency. Iron supplements would not be effective for pernicious anemia, as the issue is not a lack of iron. A vegan diet may not be helpful, as it may exacerbate the deficiency if not properly planned. Megadoses of vitamin C would not be effective for addressing pernicious anemia.

Dorothy Is a 75-Year-Old Woman with Pernicious Anemia