Deck 13: The Nursing Role in Promoting Nutritional Health During Pregnancy

Question 1

The nurse is preparing to assess the nutritional status of a patient who is 8 weeks pregnant. What is the most effective way for the nurse to assess the patient's food intake thus far in the pregnancy?

A) Assess skin status for hydration and color.
B) Ask the patient to describe total intake for a week.
C) Assess a list that the patient describes as a good diet.
D) Ask the patient to describe intake for the last 24 hours.

Answer 1

Ask the patient to describe intake for the last 24 hours.

Question 2

The nurse is instructing a pregnant patient to consume a diet high in complete proteins. Which food item should the nurse recommend as an example of a complete protein?

A) A boiled or fried egg
B) Green, leafy vegetables
C) A slice of whole grain toast
D) Applesauce or a whole apple

Answer 2

A boiled or fried egg

Question 3

A pregnant patient asks if an over-the-counter vitamin can be taken during pregnancy instead of the prescribed prenatal vitamin. What should the nurse explain as the chief ingredient in prenatal vitamins that makes them important for pregnancy nutrition?

A) Folic acid
B) Vitamin C
C) Potassium
D) Vitamin B₁₂

Answer 3

Folic acid

Question 4

The nurse is determining the effectiveness of nutritional teaching with a pregnant patient. Which food item that the patient selects indicates that additional teaching on good sources of iron is needed?

A) Milk
B) Beef
C) Grains
D) Legumes

Question 5

A pregnant patient tells the nurse that drinking enough fluids has always been a problem for her. What should the nurse counsel the patient as being an adequate daily amount of fluid to drink while pregnant?

A) Two glasses
B) Four glasses
C) Eight glasses
D) Ten glasses

Question 6

A pregnant patient tells the nurse that saturated fats are avoided by using vegetable oil. What additional information about vegetable oil can the nurse use to reinforce this patient's decision?

A) Aids in fluid balance
B) Contains linoleic acid
C) Stimulates kidney function
D) Has a high-potassium content

Question 7

During a previous prenatal visit, the nurse focused on the importance of adequate nutritional intake with a pregnant patient. Which assessment findings indicate that this teaching has been effective? (Select all that apply.)

A) Shiny hair
B) Smooth tongue
C) Conjunctiva pale
D) Chipped finger nails
E) Normal muscle reflexes

Question 8

The nurse is planning care for several pregnant patients. Which patient is at the greatest risk for nutritional deficiency while pregnant?

A) Patient who rarely eats fruit
B) Patient with a 1-year-old son
C) Patient with 10-year-old twins
D) Patient who never follows a weight-reduction diet

Question 9

A woman who is 6 weeks pregnant is concerned because she is nauseated every morning. Which measure should the nurse suggest the patient use to help relieve nausea?

A) Take two aspirin on arising.
B) Delay toothbrushing until noon.
C) Delay breakfast until midmorning.
D) Take a teaspoon of baking soda before breakfast.

Question 10

A pregnant patient asks the nurse what can be done for constipation. What should the nurse recommend to the patient?

A) Mineral oil
B) Increased fiber intake
C) Eating more meat products
D) Stopping prenatal vitamins temporarily

Question 11

A woman of normal weight learns that she is pregnant and asks the nurse how much weight she should gain until delivery. What should the nurse respond to this patient?

A) Do not gain over 20 lb.
B) Any gain over 30 lb is ideal.
C) Twenty-five to 35 lb is ideal.
D) The amount of weight gain is not important.

Question 12

Which nutritional information should the nurse suggest to a pregnant patient who follows a vegetarian eating plan?

A) Include at least one serving of meat daily.
B) Be careful not to eat more than four servings of fruit daily.
C) Discontinue a vegetarian diet for the remainder of pregnancy.
D) Anticipate needing a vitamin B₁₂ supplement during pregnancy.

Question 13

The nurse is planning nutritional instructions for a pregnant patient who is a Mexican immigrant. On which areas should the nurse focus when preparing teaching for this patient? (Select all that apply.)

A) Add fruits rich in vitamin C.
B) Consume potatoes at every meal.
C) Increase the intake of dairy products.
D) Reduce the cooking time of vegetables.
E) Limit the amount of added animal fat in foods.

Question 14

A patient who is 4 months pregnant is experiencing pyrosis. Which suggestion should the nurse make to the patient to help with this health problem?

A) Try to include complex carbohydrates in meals.
B) Eat small meals and do not lie down after meals.
C) Increase vitamin intake by adding more citrus fruit.
D) Take 30 ml of milk of magnesia after every meal.

Question 15

During a prenatal appointment, a patient who is 3 months pregnant states she ingests starch because of a craving. What should the nurse respond to this patient?

A) Suggest a hemoglobin assessment be done.
B) Kindly encourage the patient to discontinue the habit.
C) Emphasize the protein, vitamin, and iron needs of pregnancy nutrition.
D) Plan another appointment to discuss the hazards of ingesting nonfood substances.

Question 16

The nurse is planning a prenatal educational program for a community health center. What information should the nurse include that supports the 2020 National Health Goals for nutrition in pregnancy? (Select all that apply.)

A) Avoid foods high in fats and calories.
B) Take prenatal vitamins as prescribed.
C) Ensure a daily intake of foods with folic acid.
D) Limit the intake of foods high in simple carbohydrates.
E) Maintain adequate nutrition before becoming pregnant.

Question 17

The nurse has identified the diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition for a pregnant patient. Which assessment data did the nurse use to identify this diagnosis for the patient?

A) Patient eats salads at least twice a day.
B) Patient does not like potatoes or bread.
C) Patient eats red meat several times a week.
D) Patient does not want to gain any weight while pregnant.

Question 18

The nurse provides instructions to a patient with hyperemesis gravidarum. Which outcome indicates that teaching has been effective?

A) Patient has vomiting episodes only in the morning.
B) Patient is able to tolerate soft foods after episodes of vomiting.
C) Patient is able to ingest clear liquids between episodes of vomiting.
D) Patient is able to ingest a regular diet after progressing through clear liquids and soft foods.