National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Which symptom is NOT typically associated with vitamin B12 deficiency?

1. Pernicious anemia

2. Impaired proprioception

3. Weakness in lateral muscles

4. Paresthesia

The correct answer is: Weakness in lateral muscles

Vitamin B12 deficiency is primarily linked to a range of neurological and hematological symptoms. Pernicious anemia, caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, is characterized by the body’s inability to produce enough healthy red blood cells due to a lack of intrinsic factor, which is necessary for B12 absorption. Impaired proprioception, or the inability to perceive and coordinate body position and movement, occurs because vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining the myelin sheath that protects nerve fibers. Paresthesia, often described as a tingling or pricking sensation, is another common symptom that arises from nerve damage due to insufficient levels of vitamin B12. The symptom of weakness in lateral muscles is not typically associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. While overall weakness can occur, it is more related to issues affecting larger muscle groups or conditions that do not directly stem from B12 levels. Symptoms specific to vitamin B12 deficiency focus more on nerve function and blood formation rather than muscle weakness localized to the lateral muscles. This detail establishes that weakness in lateral muscles does not directly correlate with the established symptoms linked to vitamin B12 deficiency.