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?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pica is a symptom that often accompanies iron-deficiency anemia, and the primary care provider might need to assess the patient's serum iron level because correcting this underlying problem with an iron supplement may correct the pica. Stopping eating the nonfood substance may be difficult because the habit may be deeply ingrained.
Emphasizing the importance of other nutrients while pregnant will not correct the problem. The nurse does not need to make another appointment to discuss the hazards of ingesting nonfood substances. The teaching can be conducted during the current appointment.

During a Prenatal Appointment, a Patient Who Is 3 Months