Dietetic Technician Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The condition characterized by symptoms such as fatigue and inflammation of the gums due to a vitamin deficiency is scurvy. Scurvy is specifically caused by a deficiency in vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis, immune function, and the maintenance of connective tissue. When there is a lack of vitamin C, the body cannot properly repair tissues or maintain support for the gums, leading to inflammation and potential dental issues. Additionally, fatigue can occur as the overall health deteriorates due to the body's inability to properly manage cellular functions and repair processes.

The other conditions listed are linked to deficiencies of other vitamins: rickets results from a vitamin D deficiency and affects bone health; pellagra is associated with a deficiency in niacin (vitamin B3) and is characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia; and beriberi is caused by a deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B1), affecting the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Thus, the defining symptoms related to gum health and fatigue align specifically with scurvy and its association with vitamin C deficiency.