College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Prolonged vitamin A deficiency can lead to which of the following conditions?

1. Night blindness

2. Weak immune system

3. Bone loss

4. Megaloblastic anemia

The correct answer is: Night blindness

Prolonged vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness because vitamin A is crucial for the formation of rhodopsin, a pigment found in the retina that is essential for vision in low-light conditions. When there is an inadequate supply of vitamin A, the production of rhodopsin is impaired, which affects the ability to see in dim light or darkness, resulting in night blindness. While other options may relate to health issues caused by different deficiencies or conditions, they do not specifically arise from a lack of vitamin A. A weak immune system is commonly associated with deficiencies in various vitamins and minerals, but is not uniquely tied to vitamin A deficiency. Bone loss is more often correlated with inadequate calcium or vitamin D levels, and megaloblastic anemia is primarily linked to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate, rather than vitamin A. Thus, night blindness distinctly characterizes the consequences of prolonged vitamin A deficiency.