Which of the following is a symptom of vitamin K deficiency?

Which of the following is a symptom of vitamin K deficiency?

• A. Increased appetite
• B. Weight gain
• C. Easily bruise and bleed
• D. Frequent headaches

Answer: (C)

Vitamin K is essential for making the clotting factors that allow blood to coagulate. It enables these factors to work properly in the coagulation cascade. When vitamin K is missing or deficient, clotting is impaired, so even small injuries can cause noticeable bruising or bleeding. That’s why easy bruising and bleeding is a hallmark symptom. Other options don’t reflect this clotting-related issue. Appetite changes, weight gain, or headaches aren’t tied to the coagulation process or to deficiency of vitamin K. In practice, you’d look for signs like frequent bruising, bleeding gums, frequent nosebleeds, or excessive bleeding after minor injuries as indicators of a vitamin K deficiency.

Vitamin K is essential for making the clotting factors that allow blood to coagulate. It enables these factors to work properly in the coagulation cascade. When vitamin K is missing or deficient, clotting is impaired, so even small injuries can cause noticeable bruising or bleeding. That’s why easy bruising and bleeding is a hallmark symptom.

Other options don’t reflect this clotting-related issue. Appetite changes, weight gain, or headaches aren’t tied to the coagulation process or to deficiency of vitamin K. In practice, you’d look for signs like frequent bruising, bleeding gums, frequent nosebleeds, or excessive bleeding after minor injuries as indicators of a vitamin K deficiency.