Vitamin deficiency

Pernicious
Anaemia

Pathophysiology

Nursing care plan

The lack of gastric parietal cells to produce enough IF (a gastric protein released by parietal cells) to allow proper absorption of dietary vitamin B12 causes this condition.

Cobalamin deficiency can result from other illnesses that interfere with vitamin B12 absorption and metabolism, leading to macrocytic anemia and neurologic consequences.

Signs and symptoms

fatigue

weakness

headaches

chest pain

weight loss

pale skin

Diagnostic tests

Peripheral blood smear

Vitamin B12 levels

Reticulocyte count

Antibodies against Intrinsic Factor

Complete blood count

Lactose Dehydrogenase levels & Methylmalonic acid levels

Complications

Gastric polyps can develop into malignant lesions or carcinoid tumors as a result of gastrointestinal issues.

Nerve and brain damage, dementia, and a lack of coordination are all symptoms of neurological problems

Clinical manifestation

Haematologic and Neurologic

Macrocytic anemia

Pancytopenia

Thrombosis due to hyperhomocysteinemia

Neurologic

Optic neuropathy

Neuropsychiatric manifestations

Autonomic dysfunction

Definition

is caused by a lack of vitamin B12 absorption from the GI tract, which is necessary for the synthesis of red blood cells.

Examine your neurovitals as well as your cognitive.

Inject vitamin B12 into the patient.

Listen for rales in the lungs (CHF is common)

Listen for murmurs in the heart.

Place the patient in a bed rest position.

Examine the ins and outs

Educate the patient about the condition.

Encourage a balanced diet.

Encourage the patient to take cobalamin supplements if he or she is a vegetarian.

Examine your walk, balance, and any paresthesias.

Check the patient's blood tests to make sure he or she isn't anemic.

Examine the tongue (it is often beefy red- it resolves with treatment)

Self-care should be encouraged.

To ensure that the treatment is effective, check the reticulocyte count.

If the patient is out of breath, give him or her oxygen.

To educate the patient, consult a dietitian.