Fat Soluble Vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, K - Nutrition Essentials for Nursing | @LevelUpRN

Summary

In this video, Cathy from Level Up RN covers the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. She explains the functions, food sources, deficiency symptoms, and toxicity risks associated with each vitamin. Key points include vitamin A's role in vision, vitamin D's role in calcium absorption and bone health, vitamin E as an antioxidant, and vitamin K's importance in blood clotting. Cathy also highlights important considerations, like the interaction between vitamin K and warfarin, before concluding with a quiz to reinforce learning.

Takeaways

• 🟡 Vitamin A supports vision, immune function, and cell growth. It is found in orange and yellow vegetables, fish, liver, dairy, and eggs.
• 🟢 A deficiency in vitamin A can cause xerophthalmia, leading to night blindness and dry eyes.
• 🟡 Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, bone growth, and decreasing inflammation. Sunlight, fatty fish, and fortified foods are key sources.
• 🟢 Deficiency in vitamin D can cause Ricketts in children and osteomalacia in adults, leading to bone deformities and seizures.
• 🟡 Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, supports immune function, and metabolism. It is found in seeds, nuts, vegetable oils, and green leafy vegetables.
• 🟢 Deficiency in vitamin E can cause peripheral neuropathy and impaired balance, while excess vitamin E increases the risk of bleeding.
• 🟡 Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone maintenance. It is found in green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil, and soybeans.
• 🟢 Deficiency in vitamin K increases the risk of bleeding, while toxicity is rare, but consistency in intake is important for patients on warfarin.
• 🟡 Vitamin A toxicity can lead to increased intracranial pressure, joint pain, liver damage, and birth defects.
• 🟢 Vitamin D toxicity can result in hypercalcemia, nausea, muscle weakness, and dehydration.

Q & A

What are the fat-soluble vitamins discussed in the video?

The fat-soluble vitamins discussed are vitamins A, D, E, and K.

What are the main functions of vitamin A in the body?

Vitamin A supports vision, immune function, and cell growth.

Which foods are good sources of vitamin A?

Foods rich in vitamin A include orange and yellow vegetables and fruits, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and mango, as well as fish, liver, dairy, and eggs.

What condition can result from a deficiency in vitamin A?

A deficiency in vitamin A can cause xerophthalmia, which leads to night blindness, drying of the cornea, and drying of the conjunctiva.

What are some risks associated with vitamin A toxicity?

Vitamin A toxicity can lead to increased intracranial pressure, joint pain, liver damage, and birth defects.

Why is vitamin D essential, and how can it be obtained?

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, bone growth, and reducing inflammation. It can be obtained from sunlight, fatty fish, fish oil, and fortified foods like milk and cereals.

What are the effects of vitamin D deficiency in children and adults?

Vitamin D deficiency can cause Rickets in children, leading to decreased bone density, developmental delays, seizures, and skeletal deformities. In adults, it can cause osteomalacia, leading to bone pain and deformities.

What are the main functions of vitamin E, and what foods provide it?

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, supports immune function, and aids metabolism. It is found in seeds, nuts, vegetable oils, and green leafy vegetables.

What are the risks of vitamin E deficiency and toxicity?

Vitamin E deficiency can cause peripheral neuropathy, ataxia (impaired balance), and decreased immune function. Toxicity can impair blood coagulation, increasing the risk of bleeding.

Why is vitamin K important, and what should patients on warfarin be cautious about?

Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone maintenance. Patients on warfarin should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K, as changes in its levels can affect the medication's effectiveness and their risk of bleeding or clotting.