Which treatment is anticipated for pernicious anemia?

• A. Oral iron supplements
• B. Increase in vitamin C in the diet
• C. Intramuscular injection of vitamin B-12
• D. Folic acid supplements

Answer: (C)

Pernicious anemia happens when there isn’t enough vitamin B12 because intrinsic factor, needed for gut absorption, is missing. Since the body can’t absorb B12 through the intestines, the treatment must bypass the digestive tract and replace the vitamin directly, usually with intramuscular injections of vitamin B12. This approach restores B12 levels and corrects the anemia. Other options don’t address the underlying issue: iron supplements target iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin C won’t fix B12 absorption, and folic acid can help with red cell production but does not treat B12 deficiency and can mask or complicate neurological damage if B12 is still deficient. So, delivering B12 by injection is the appropriate therapy.