A patient comes to the clinic, worried that he may have ...

[hubes95]

A patient comes to the clinic, worried that he may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease. He complains that his lips are cracked, and he has a thick tongue and an itchy scrotum.
 
  Upon further assessment, the nurse finds cheilosis, glossitis, vascularization of the cornea, and irritated dermatitis of the scrotum. The nurse suspects that these signs and symptoms are consistent with which vitamin deficiency?
  a. Riboflavin
  b. Thiamin
  c. Pyridoxine
  d. Niacin

Question 2

An adult who has been self-medicating, using nutritional therapy for elevated cholesterol, complains of repeated episodes of flushing. The nurse suspects that the patient has been taking
 
  a. niacin.
  b. thiamin.
  c. riboflavin.
  d. pyridoxine.

[raili21]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Symptoms consistent with riboflavin deficiency include cheilosis, glossitis, vascularization of the cornea, and itchy dermatitis of the scrotum.
Symptoms of thiamin deficiency include neurologic and motor deficits, (eg, anesthesia of the feet, ataxic gait, footdrop, and wristdrop).
Symptoms of pyridoxine deficiency include seborrheic dermatitis, microcytic anemia, peripheral neuritis, convulsions, depression, and confusion.
Symptoms of niacin deficiency are scaling and cracking of the skin in areas exposed to the sun.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Niacin is used to reduce cholesterol levels. When taken in large doses, nicotinic acid can cause vasodilation, with resultant flushing, dizziness, and nausea.
Flushing is not a side effect of thiamine, because it does not cause vasodilation.
Flushing is not a side effect of riboflavin, because it does not cause vasodilation.
Flushing is not a side effect of pyridoxine, because it does not cause vasodilation.

[hubes95]

Thank you!

[raili21]

Always glad to help...