Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 89%
Simulated
A client comes into the emergency room with complaints of an enlarged tongue. The tongue appears smooth and beefy red in color. The nurse also observes a 5-cm incision on the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. When questioned, the patient states, 'I had a partial gastrostomy 2 years ago.' Based on this information, the nurse attributes these symptoms to which of the following problems?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Vitamin B12 deficiency, often due to impaired absorption post-gastrectomy, causes glossitis with a smooth, beefy red tongue.