Question

1. What are the nursing implementations of Vitamin B12?

2. What care are required for vitamin B12?

Answer 1

1).

Vitamin B₁₂ or cyanocobalamin is actively involved in the metabolic processes in each cells of our body. Both folate and vitamin B₁₂ is essential for the maturation of red blood cells. In the deficiency of these vitamins, the maturation process is incomplete and the cells appear larger than the normal, this is known as megaloblastic anemia. Nursing implications of vitamin B12:

• Encourage and educate the patients exhibiting the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency to inform the primary care provider and have supplementation of B12 to meet the deficiency.
• Encouraging patients with alcohol or tobacco consumption to seek counseling and quitting the same
• The nurse should identify the interaction between the vitamin and mineral deficiencies (this is important as the proton pump inhibitors and vitamin supplements are available OTC)
• Discourage the practice of taking B12 injections to enhance energy levels. Instead, the fatigue can be discussed with the primary care provider, so that the etiology can be identified
• Encourage the patients to have nutritious food and maintaining a balanced diet

2).

Pernicious anemia occurs because of incomplete absorption of vitamin B₁₂, or vitamin B12 deficiency. So the cyanocobalamin is given as a part of the treatment of pernicious anemia. Oral cyanocobalamin is not helpful in this patient because pernicious anemia occurs due to inefficient absorption of vitamin B₁₂, so it must be given through the parental route.

Early identification of the B12 deficiency is important as it can cause severe nerve damage if left untreated. The supplement should be taken one hour prior to or after 2 hours of meals.