Pretest Patient Care
Assess overall nutritional status and address potential deficiencies. Often, one deficiency is accompanied by several nutrient deficiencies.
Evaluate signs and symptoms of disrupted vitamin-related metabolic reactions that indicate the need for testing.
Be cognizant that the cost of testing (high) and time frames for obtaining test results (slow) may be issues for some individuals. Samples for vitamin tests are usually sent to specialty laboratories, which increases cost and turnaround time dramatically.
Explain the purpose of the test before collecting blood, urine, hair, or nail specimens.
Inform the patient that vitamins are micronutrients that can be detected in the blood and urine as an indication of overt nutritional deficiency states, toxic levels, or subclinical hypovitaminosis. The potential for toxicity from excessive intake exists.
Follow the guidelines in Chapter 1 for safe, effective, informed pretest and intratest care.
Intratest Care
Collect required specimens.
Posttest Patient Care
Verify and report reference ranges (RR) and critical ranges. Take appropriate action when values are too high or too low. Treat nutrient deficiencies and toxicities immediately.
In collaboration with other healthcare providers (e.g., pharmacist, dietitian), counsel the patient about abnormal results, follow-up tests, dietary changes, and treatment. Water-soluble vitamins are needed on a daily basis. RRs vary and are method dependent. Check with your laboratory.
Follow guidelines in Chapter 1 for safe, effective, informed posttest care.