When a Schilling test is prescribed for a suspected cobalamin deficiency, what is the nurse's plan?

In the context of the Schilling test, the correct approach involves collecting a 24- to 48-hour urine specimen. The Schilling test is specifically designed to assess the absorption of vitamin B12 and determine whether a deficiency is due to malabsorption in the gastrointestinal tract or other factors, such as intrinsic factor deficiency. During the test, a dose of radioactive vitamin B12 is administered, and the amount excreted in the urine over a specific period is measured. If the body is unable to absorb vitamin B12 properly, less will be found in the urine, indicating a potential issue with absorption that may be due to conditions such as pernicious anemia or other malabsorption syndromes.

This focus on urine collection is crucial as it helps to provide definitive evidence on how well the body is absorbing this vital nutrient, which is the primary goal of the test. Other potential interventions, such as administering a vitamin B12 injection, obtaining a blood sample for testing, or educating the client on dietary sources of vitamin B12, do not specifically align with the process and goals of the Schilling test itself. Administering an injection, for instance, would bypass the absorption aspect being evaluated, while obtaining a blood sample is less informative than the urine