Final answer:
A 79-year-old male who has undergone a gastrectomy is most at risk for Pernicious anemia. This is because Pernicious anemia, which is caused by poor absorption of vitamin B12, can occur in individuals who have had surgeries like a gastrectomy affecting the digestive system's functioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 79-year-old male who had a gastrectomy a month ago would be most at risk for Pernicious anemia. This is because Pernicious anemia is caused by poor absorption of vitamin B12, a condition that can occur in patients who have had certain surgeries like a gastrectomy which is the surgical removal of the stomach. The reduced stomach capacity and alteration of the digestive system can affect the absorption of Vitamin B12, leading to this type of anemia.
Other forms of anemia such as Iron deficiency anemia, Aplastic anemia, and nutritional anemia are typically caused by different factors. Iron deficiency anemia arises when there is a lack of iron in the diet or an inability to absorb and transport iron, which does not directly correlate with a gastrectomy. Aplastic anemia, where there is a deficiency in the number of red blood cell's stem cells, can be inherited or triggered by factors like radiation, medication, chemotherapy, or infection. Nutritional anemia entails the overall deficiency of essential nutrients, not only vitamin B12.
Learn more about Pernicious anemia