A community health nurse visits a local women's health center to provide teaching about the effects of smoking during pregnancy. One of the women in the class asks the nurse, "But aren't e-cigarettes safer?" Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The use of e-cigarettes, or vaping, is considered to be a health danger for pregnant women and developing fetuses. This nicotine delivery system poses threats to the baby. Studies have shown that they are not considered to be safer than smoking cigarettes, regardless of whether the person inhales or not. Also, the exhaled aerosol that is advertised to be "water vapor" actually contains nicotine and other chemicals such as metals, nitrosamines, and volatile organic compounds (CDC, 2016h).

A Community Health Nurse Visits a Local Women's Health Center