Many clients are concerned about the increased levels of mercury in fish and may be reluctant to include this source of nutrients in their diet.What is the best advice for the nurse to provide?

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As a precaution,the pregnant client should avoid eating shark,swordfish,and mackerel,as well as the less common tilefish.High levels of mercury can harm the developing nervous system of the fetus.Assisting the client in understanding the differences between numerous sources of mercury is essential for the nurse.A pregnant client may eat as much as 12 ounces a week of canned light tuna; however,canned white,albacore,or tuna steaks contain higher levels of mercury and should be limited to no more than 6 ounces per week.Pregnant women and mothers of young children should check with local advisories about the safety of fish caught by families and friends in nearby bodies of water.If no information is available,then these fish sources should be avoided,limited to less than 6 ounces per week,or the only fish consumed that week.Commercially caught fish that is low in mercury includes salmon,shrimp,pollock,or catfish.The pregnant client may eat up to 12 ounces of commercially caught fish per week.Additional information on levels of mercury in commercially caught fish is available at www.cfsan.fda.gov.

Many Clients Are Concerned About the Increased Levels of Mercury