A perinatal nurse is assessing a woman who is approximately 10 weeks pregnant.The woman smells like cigarette smoke.What actions by the nurse are best?
A) Advise her to stop smoking now so that the baby can be of normal weight.
B) Ask the woman if either she or her partner smokes.
C) Determine how many cigarettes she smokes a day.
D) Describe the behavior problems her child may develop.
E) Explain that nicotine deprives the fetus of oxygen.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the nurse smells cigarette smoke,assessing the woman for smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke is appropriate.Exposure to nicotine causes vasoconstriction and deprives the fetus of essential oxygen and nutrients needed for growth and development.Consequences include low birth weight and small-for-gestational-age babies.If the woman stops smoking during the first trimester,the baby will have a similar birth weight to babies whose mothers did not smoke.The absolute number of cigarettes per day is not as important as determining if she does smoke and advising her to quit now.Childhood behavior problems are often attributed to cocaine use during pregnancy.

A Perinatal Nurse Is Assessing a Woman Who Is Approximately