Which client statement is most consistent with vitamin C deficiency in chronic liver dysfunction?

• A. Hypoprothrombinemia
• B. Night blindness
• C. Beriberi
• D. Scurvy

Answer: (D)

Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis and the integrity of connective tissue. When deficient, collagen formation falters, leading to fragile capillaries, easy bruising, gum bleeding, and slow wound healing. In chronic liver dysfunction, malnutrition can contribute to low vitamin C levels, so the most consistent client statement would reflect symptoms like bleeding gums and poor wound healing—classic signs of scurvy. Deficiencies of other vitamins cause different syndromes: vitamin K deficiency impairs clotting (hypoprothrombinemia), vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness, and thiamine deficiency leads to beriberi.