What vitamin is essential for a client who has undergone a total gastrectomy?

A total gastrectomy involves the complete removal of the stomach, which has significant implications for nutrient absorption. One of the key nutrients affected by this procedure is vitamin B12. Normally, vitamin B12 is released from food in the acidic environment of the stomach and then binds to intrinsic factor, a protein produced by the stomach that is crucial for vitamin B12 absorption in the intestines.

In the case of total gastrectomy, there is a complete absence of the stomach and, consequently, a lack of intrinsic factor production. Consequently, patients are at high risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to serious conditions such as anemia and neurological issues. Therefore, it is critical for these patients to receive vitamin B12 through supplements or intramuscular injections, as dietary intake alone will not suffice for absorption.

The other vitamins listed do not have the same critical relationship to the absence of the stomach. While vitamins A, C, and D are important for overall health, they do not specifically require the stomach for absorption in the same way that vitamin B12 does, making vitamin B12 the essential vitamin for a client post-total gastrectomy.