A patient of Jewish heritage is experiencing body aches and fatigue. The nurse notes that the patient's skin appears pale and yellow-tinged. What nutritional health problem should the nurse suspect is occurring in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with Gaucher disease, a genetic disorder common among those of Jewish heritage. The disease is caused by a deficiency of an enzyme needed to break down certain fatty substances. This leads to the buildup of harmful substances in the liver, spleen, bones, and bone marrow, which can result in anemia, fatigue, pale skin, and yellow-tinged skin. Tangier disease and hypercholesterolemia are both disorders related to cholesterol metabolism, and Lynch Syndrome is a genetic disorder associated with increased risk of various cancers, so they are not the best choices based on the patient's symptoms.

A Patient of Jewish Heritage Is Experiencing Body Aches and Fatigue