Author Question: An 18-year-old woman at 18 weeks' gestation is being seen in the prenatal clinic. Her weight gain is ... (Read 58 times)

chads108 · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

An 18-year-old woman at 18 weeks' gestation is being seen in the prenatal clinic. Her weight gain is 25 pounds over her prepregnant weight. Which is the perinatal nurse's best approach to care at this visit?

A.
Ask the patient to complete a 3-day dietary recall while she is in the clinic.
B.
Explain the possible concerns related to excessive weight gain in pregnancy
C.
Explain to the patient that weight gain is not a concern in pregnancy.
D.
Teach the patient about the expected normal weight gain during pregnancy.

Question 2

A nurse is teaching a nonsmoking pregnant woman about the iron tablets she was just prescribed. What information is most important for the nurse to teach the patient?

A.
Calling the doctor right away for dark, tarry stools
B.
Drinking at least one glass of orange juice a day
C.
Stopping the prenatal vitamins while taking iron
D.
Taking the medication between meals and with milk

emilymalinowski12 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
This woman has gained much more than the average weight gain in the first trimester (1-2.5 kg). Nutrition and weight management play an essential role in the development of a healthy pregnancy. Not only does the patient need to have an understanding of the essential nutritional elements, she must also be able to assess and modify her diet for the developing fetus and her own nutritional maintenance. To facilitate this process, it is the nurse's responsibility to provide education and counseling concerning dietary intake, weight management, and potentially harmful nutritional practices. The nurse should facilitate this process while the woman is at her appointment. After assessment and mutually planning nutritional goals, the nurse can educate the woman about the possible concerns related to excessive weight gain and teach about the normal trajectory of weight gain during pregnancy. This series of actions follows the nursing process best.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron, and a nonsmoking woman should be able to get sufficient iron from a glass of citrus juice daily. Iron tablets should be taken between meals, using a beverage other than tea, coffee, or milk. Dark, tarry stools are a known side effect of iron. Women on iron should also be on prenatal vitamins.