NEW LOWER PRICES - ACT FAST
Registered Nurse (RN)
/
Courses
/
Pharmacological Nursing
/
Vitamins & Minerals
/
Vitamin A (Retinol)

Master Vitamin A (Retinol) with Picmonic for Nursing RN

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Vitamin A (Retinol)

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
picmonic thumbnail
Beriberi (Thiamine Deficiency)
picmonic thumbnail
Vitamin B3 - Niacin (Nicotinic Acid)
picmonic thumbnail
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
picmonic thumbnail
Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)

Vitamin A (Retinol)

Viking Apple and Red-tin-owl
Picmonic
Vitamin A (Retinol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that maintains the structural and functional integrity of the skin and mucous membranes. Supplementation of vitamin A is indicated for patients with dietary deficiencies and skin disorders. Side effects include hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, increased intracranial pressure, and vomiting. Since vitamin A is a teratogen, do not give supplements to pregnant women. Dietary sources include animal products, dark green vegetables, and carotene-rich fruits and vegetables.
11 KEY FACTS
MECHANISM
Maintains Mucous Membranes
Maintained Mucous

Vitamin A helps maintain the structural and functional integrity of mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. The vitamin helps keep the mucous membranes moist.

Eyes and Skin
Eyes and Skin-suit-man

Vitamin A helps maintain eye function and skin integrity. Since vitamin A is necessary for eyes to adjust to light changes, night blindness is an indication of vitamin A deficiency.

INDICATIONS
Dietary Deficiency
Broken Nutritional-plate

Vitamin A supplementation is indicated for patients with dietary deficiency. Since vitamin A helps the eyes adapt to dim lighting, night blindness is usually the first indication of deficiency. Other symptoms of deficiency include skin lesions and dysfunction of mucous membranes. The patient may develop dry, thickened conjunctiva known as xerophthalmia. Deficiency may cause corneal degeneration known as keratomalacia, which is a keratinization of the corneal epithelium. Severe vitamin A deficiency may lead to blindness.

Skin Disorders
Skin-suit Disordered

Certain forms of vitamin A are indicated to help treat skin disorders such as acne and keratosis follicularis. Vitamin A maintains skin structure by helping skin cells mature.

SIDE EFFECTS
Hepatosplenomegaly
Liver-and-spleen-balloons

Hypervitaminosis A is a toxic state caused by excessive intake of vitamin A. Intoxication affects multiple organ systems. Symptoms include hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, skins changes, and increased intracranial pressure. Symptoms of toxicity will disappear after removing the source of vitamin A.

Jaundice
Jaundice-janitor

Excessive amounts of vitamin A may lead to liver injury. Since the liver is responsible for breaking down bilirubin, jaundice may occur. Patients with excessive levels of vitamin A may develop other skin changes.

Increased ICP
Up-arrow Pressure-cooker Cranium

Since vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, excessive levels will accumulate in the body leading to hypervitaminosis A. Excessive amounts of vitamin A may lead to increased intracranial pressure (refer to the Picmonic on "Increased Intracranial Pressure Assessment"). The patient may experience nausea, vomiting, and papilledema as the optic disc swells in response to increased intracranial pressure.

Vomiting
Vomit

Vomiting may occur in patients with excessive vitamin A intake. Since vitamin A helps maintain the gastrointestinal mucosa, the patient may experience nausea, anorexia, and abdominal pain.

CONSIDERATIONS
Teratogen
Tarantula-gem

Vitamin A is highly teratogenic and should not be supplemented in pregnant women. Excessive intake of vitamin A during pregnancy may cause malformation of the fetal skull and heart. Normal dietary intake of vitamin A does not lead to teratogenic effects.

Animal Food Products
Animal Meat and Organs

Preformed vitamin A, or retinol, is only found in food products of animal origin. Dietary sources include dairy products, meats, fish oil, and fish. The body absorbs animal sources of vitamin A better than non-animal sources.

Dark Green and Orange Fruits/Vegetables
Dark Green Pepper & Orange Carrot

Provitamin A carotenoids are found in darkly colored green and carotene-rich or orange fruits and vegetables. Rich dietary sources include carrots, mangoes, cantaloupes, tomatoes, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. Cells found in the intestinal mucosa convert provitamin A carotenoids into retinol. However, compared with retinol found in animal products, sources of dietary carotenoids are less absorbed.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Take the Vitamin A (Retinol) Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Registered Nurse (RN) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,870,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Registered Nurse (RN) student study app.

Picmonic for Registered Nurse (RN) covers information that is relevant to your entire Registered Nurse (RN) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer your NCLEX®-RN, Hesi, ATI, TEAS test, Kaplan exams, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Registered Nurse (RN) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.