Deck 18: Maternal Nutrition

Question 1

The pregnant patient states she does not want "to take all these supplements." What recommendations could the nurse make for the patient?

A) "Folic acid has been found to be essential for minimizing the risk of neural tube defects."
B) "You do not have to take these supplements if you think you are healthy enough."
C) "Most women do not have adequate intake of iron pre-pregnancy, and iron needs increase with pregnancy."
D) "These medications do the same thing. I will call your physician to cancel one of your medications."
E) "You should take the folic acid, but the vitamins are not that important."

Answer 1

"Folic acid has been found to be essential for minimizing the risk of neural tube defects."
"Most women do not have adequate intake of iron pre-pregnancy, and iron needs increase with pregnancy."

Question 2

The breastfeeding mother is concerned that her milk production has decreased. The nurse knows that further patient teaching is needed based on which statement?

A) "I am drinking a minimum of 8-10 glasses of liquid a day."
B) "I have started cutting back on my protein intake."
C) "At least three times a day, I drink a glass of milk."
D) "I try to take a nap in the morning and afternoon when the baby is sleeping."

Answer 2

"I have started cutting back on my protein intake."

Question 3

The nurse evaluates the diet of a pregnant patient and finds that it is low in zinc. The nurse knows that zinc intake should increase during pregnancy to promote protein metabolism. Which food should the nurse suggest in order to increase intake of zinc?

A) Shellfish
B) Bananas
C) Yogurt
D) Cabbage

Answer 3

Shellfish

Question 4

The prenatal clinic nurse is caring for a 15-year-old primiparous patient who is at 8 weeks' gestation. The patient asks the nurse why she is supposed to gain so much weight. What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "Gaining 25-35 pounds is recommended for healthy fetal growth."
B) "It's what your certified nurse-midwife recommended for you."
C) "Inadequate weight gain delays lactation after delivery."
D) "Weight gain is important to ensure that you get enough vitamins."

Question 5

The nurse is counseling a group of first-trimester patients on diet increases that are necessary during pregnancy. Which information would be necessary to tell the pregnant women?

A) An increase of protein is necessary to provide amino acids necessary for fetal development.
B) Protein contributes to the body's overall energy metabolism.
C) The recommended protein during pregnancy is 60 g each day.
D) The increased amount of protein that a pregnant woman needs is 8 g a day.
E) The quality of protein is as important as the amount.

Question 6

In early-pregnancy class, the nurse emphasizes the importance of 8-10 glasses of fluid per day. How many of these should be water?

A) 1-2
B) 2-4
C) 4-6
D) 3-5

Question 7

A pregnant teenage patient is diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. Which nutrient should the nurse encourage her to take to increase iron absorption?

A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin D
D) Vitamin E

Question 8

A pregnant patient confides to the nurse that she is eating laundry starch daily. The nurse should assess the patient for:

A) Alopecia.
B) Weight loss.
C) Iron-deficiency anemia.
D) Fecal impaction.

Question 9

A pregnant patient who is a lacto-vegetarian asks the nurse for assistance with her diet. What instruction should the nurse give?

A) "Protein is important; therefore, the addition of one serving of meat a day is necessary."
B) "A daily supplement of 4 mg vitamin B12 is important."
C) "The high fiber in a vegetarian diet is dangerous for pregnant women."
D) "Eggs are important to add to your diet. Eat six eggs per week."
E) "Milk products contain protein, but they are very low in iron."

Question 10

A pregnant patient who was of normal prepregnancy weight is now 30 weeks pregnant. She asks the nurse what appropriate weight gain for her should be. The nurse's best response is:

A) "25-35 pounds."
B) "30-40 pounds."
C) "17-18 pounds."
D) "Less than 15 pounds."

Question 11

The nurse is planning an early-pregnancy class session on nutrition. Which information should the nurse include?

A) Protein is important for developing the baby's muscles.
B) Iron helps both mother and baby form red blood cells.
C) Calcium prevents constipation at the end of pregnancy.
D) Zinc facilitates synthesis of RNA and DNA.
E) Vitamin A promotes development of the baby's eyes.

Question 12

The pregnant patient cannot tolerate milk or meat. What would the nurse recommend to the patient to assist in meeting protein needs?

A) Wheat bread and pasta
B) Ice cream and peanut butter
C) Eggs and tofu
D) Beans and potatoes

Question 13

A woman is planning to become pregnant. What actions should the nurse counsel her to take before stopping birth control?

A) Take a daily multivitamin.
B) See a medical doctor.
C) Eat a well-balanced, nutritionally sound diet.
D) Stop all over-the-counter medications.
E) Stop smoking cigarettes.

Question 14

To accurately assess a pregnant patient's food intake, the nurse would:

A) Assess her most recent laboratory values.
B) Ask her to complete a nutritional questionnaire.
C) Observe for signs of hunger.
D) Ask about her cooking facilities.

Question 15

The nurse is instructing a pregnant patient on her nutritional needs. The nurse tells the patient that nutrition is needed for fetal development because fetal growth occurs in overlapping stages from increased:

A) Cell numbers.
B) Growth spurts every month.
C) Cell size and number.
D) Cell size alone.
E) Vitamin and mineral intake.

Question 16

Which patient statement on cultural or religious influences on nutrition requires intervention by the nurse?

A) "My grandmother makes sure I eat a serving of greens each day."
B) "I avoid milk and meat together at meals because I am Jewish."
C) "My auntie sent me clay from the South to eat every day."
D) "Because I am Muslim, I do not ever eat any pork products."

Question 17

The nurse is preparing for a postpartum home visit. The patient has been home for a week, is breastfeeding, and experienced a third-degree perineal tear after vaginal delivery. The nurse should assess the patient for:

A) Dietary intake of fiber and fluids.
B) Dietary intake of folic acid and prenatal vitamins.
C) Return of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels to baseline.
D) Return of protein and albumin to predelivery levels.

Question 18

A woman confides to the nurse that she has pica. What alternative could the nurse suggest to the patient?

A) Replace laundry starch with salt.
B) Replace ice with frozen fruit pops.
C) Replace soap with cream cheese.
D) Replace soil with uncooked pie crust.

Question 19

A patient presents to the antepartum clinic with a history of a 20-pound weight loss. Her pregnancy test is positive. She is concerned about gaining the weight back, and asks the nurse if she can remain on her diet. The nurse's best response would be:

A) "As long as you supplement your diet with the prenatal vitamin, the amount of weight you gain in pregnancy is not significant."
B) "I understand that gaining weight after such an accomplishment must not look attractive, but weight gain during pregnancy is important for proper fetal growth."
C) "Dieting during pregnancy is considered child neglect."
D) "Excessive weight gain in pregnancy is due to water retention, so weight loss following birth will not be an issue."

Question 20

The nurse is presenting a preconception counseling class. The nurse instructs the participants that niacin intake should increase during pregnancy to promote metabolic coenzyme activity. The nurse will know that teaching has been effective if a patient suggests which food as a source of niacin?

A) Fish
B) Apples
C) Broccoli
D) Milk

Question 21

Which statement is best to include when teaching a pregnant adolescent about nutritional needs of pregnancy?

A) "It is important to eat iron-rich foods like meat every day."
B) "Calcium and milk aren't needed until the third trimester."
C) "Folic acid intake is the key to having a healthy baby."
D) "You just need to pay attention to what you eat now."

Question 22

The school nurse is planning a class about nutrition for pregnant teens, several of whom have been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. In order to increase iron absorption, the nurse would encourage the teens to consume more:

A) Gatorade.
B) Orange juice.
C) Milk.
D) Green tea.

Question 23

A patient tells the nurse that she does not like citrus fruits, and would like suggestions for alternate vitamin C sources. What should the nurse suggest as good sources of vitamin C?

A) Barley and brown rice
B) Strawberries and potatoes
C) Buckwheat and lentils
D) Wheat flour and figs
E) Blueberries and green peas

Question 24

The nurse is working with a pregnant 14 year old. Which statement indicates that additional education is required?

A) "Because I am still growing, I need more calories than a pregnant adult."
B) "I need to eat fruit and vegetables every day to get enough vitamins."
C) "My favorite food is pizza, and I eat it once a week."
D) "Since I don't eat breakfast, I'll have to eat more at supper."

Question 25

When preparing nutritional instruction, which pregnant patient would the nurse consider the highest priority?

A) 40-year-old gravida 2
B) 22-year-old primigravida
C) 35-year-old gravida 4
D) 15-year-old nulligravida

Question 26

The pregnant teen who was prescribed prenatal vitamins at her initial prenatal visit states that she does not llike to take them. How should the nurse respond?

A) "Folic acid has been found to be essential for minimizing the risk of neural tube defects."
B) "You do not have to take these supplements if you think you are healthy enough."
C) "These medications do the same thing. I will call your doctor to cancel one of your medications."
D) "You can trust your doctor to know what you need."
E) "You need the supplements because your dietary intake is not adequate for fetal development."

Question 27

The nurse is evaluating the 24-hour dairy intake of four pregnant patients. Which patient consumed the highest number of dairy servings during a day?

A) 4 oz. whole milk, 2 oz. hard cheese, 1 cup of pudding made with milk, and 2 oz. cream cheese
B) One cup yogurt, 8 oz. chocolate milk, one cup cottage cheese, and 1 oz. hard cheese.
C) 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 8 oz. whole milk, one cup buttermilk, and 1/2 oz. hard cheese
D) 1/2 cup frozen yogurt, 8 oz. skim milk, 4 oz. cream cheese, and 1/2 cup of cottage cheese

Question 28

A nurse is discussing diet with a pregnant woman. Which foods should the nurse advise the patient to avoid during her pregnancy?

A) Bologna
B) Cantaloupe
C) Asparagus
D) Popcorn
E) Red wine

Question 29

A nurse is discussing the serving sizes in the grains food group with a new prenatal patient in the clinic. Which food equals one serving size from the grains food group?

A) One hamburger roll
B) One slice of bread
C) One cup cooked pasta
D) One tortilla
E) One ounce dry cereal

Question 30

The nurse is preparing a prenatal class about infant feeding methods. The maternal nutritional requirements for breastfeeding and formula-feeding will be discussed. What statement should the nurse include?

A) "Breastfeeding requires a continued high intake of protein and calcium."
B) "Formula-feeding mothers should protect their health with a lot of calcium."
C) "Producing breast milk requires calories, but any source of food is fine."
D) "Formula-feeding mothers need a high protein intake to avoid fatigue."

Question 31

A pregnant patient is lactose intolerant. Which alternative food could this patient eat to get sufficient calcium?

A) Turnip greens.
B) Green beans.
C) Cantaloupe.
D) Nectarines.