Pellagra
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
GI / Liver / PancreasIntegumentary / Burns / WoundsNeuroMental Healthmedium priorityneeds review
Pellagra
Also testable as: Niacin deficiency, Vitamin B3 deficiency
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency, poor intake, malabsorption, alcoholism, or conditions affecting tryptophan conversion.
- Niacin deficiency impairs energy metabolism and affects skin, GI tract, and neurologic/mental status.
Medications
No specific medication class was seeded for this card.
Signs / symptoms
- Pellagra classically affects skin, GI function, and mental status.
- Safety and hydration are priority nursing concerns.
Nursing actions
- Assess sun-sensitive rash, diarrhea/GI impairment, confusion, insomnia, anxiety, poor intake, and alcohol-use risk.
- Teach prescribed niacin/nutrition plan and skin protection.
- Monitor hydration, skin integrity, mental status, and fall/safety risk.
Complications
- Dehydration
- Skin breakdown
- Confusion
- Malnutrition progression
NCLEX cues
- Pellagra classically affects skin, GI function, and mental status.
- Safety and hydration are priority nursing concerns.
Memory hooks
- Pellagra: photosensitive rash plus gut and brain cues.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Diet history
- Skin assessment
- Hydration status
- Mental status assessment
Review notes
- Generated from the nutrition entity graph. Verify against ATI/school nutrition materials before validation.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.