A 21-year-old pregnant woman smokes 8 to 10 cigarettes per day. ...

[tingc95]

A 21-year-old pregnant woman smokes 8 to 10 cigarettes per day. The clinic nurse reviews the patient's diet with her and notes that she does not eat fruits or vegetables. Which action should the nurse recommend to this patient?
 
  A.
  Cut down on smoking and eventually quit.
  B.
  Eat non-produce sources of vitamin C.
  C.
  Take an over-the-counter vitamin C supplement.
  D.
  Try to drink one glass of orange juice daily.

Question 2

After questioning a pregnant woman about her fluid intake, the nurse discovers that the patient is drinking four glasses of diet cola per day. Which response by the nurse is best?
 
  A.
  As long as you get enough fluid, soda is all right to drink.
  B.
  Less than two cups of caffeine a day is probably OK.
  C.
  The major worry with soda is the sugar content.
  D.
  You really should switch to decaffeinated colas.

[jrpg123456]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Food sources rich in vitamin C include produce such as red and green sweet peppers, oranges, kiwi fruit, grapefruit, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomato juice, cauliflower, pineapple, and kale. Most pregnant women are able to meet the recommended daily allowance (80 to 85 mg) by including at least one daily serving of citrus fruit or juice or vitamin C-rich food source, but women who smoke need more (NIH, 2011). Although it is important for the woman to quit smoking, this alone will not help her meet her dietary need for Vitamin C. Because she does not eat the primary sources of this vitamin, an over-the-counter supplement would be her best option.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The primary sources of caffeine for pregnant women are coffee, tea, and soda. Research shows that small amounts of caffeine (less than 2 cups a day) are probably safe; however, higher amounts cause central nervous system stimulation and can increase the chance of spontaneous abortions, stress the fetus's metabolic system, and decrease blood flow to the placenta. Women should be encouraged to restrict their intake of caffeinated beverages and taught that even decaffeinated beverages still contain some caffeine.