Ana, 55 years old, is admitted to the hospital to rule out pernicious anemia. A Schilling test is ordered for Ana. The nurse recognizes that the primary purpose of the Schilling test is to determine the client's ability to:

  1. Store vitamin B12
  2. Digest vitamin B12
  3. Absorb vitamin B12
  4. Produce vitamin B12
Explanation

Answer: C - Absorb vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia is caused by the inability to absorb vitamin B12 in the stomach due to a lack of intrinsic factor in the gastric juices. In the Schilling test, radioactive vitamin B12 is administered and its absorption and excretion can be ascertained through the urine.

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