A pregnant patient arrives for her first prenatal visit at the clinic. She informs the nurse that she has been taking an additional 400 mcg of folic acid prior to becoming pregnant. Based on the patient's history, she has reached 8 weeks' gestation. Which recommendation would the nurse provide regarding folic acid supplementation?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: The patient has been taking an additional 400 mcg of folic acid prior to pregnancy. Step 2: Folic acid is crucial in the early stages of pregnancy for neural tube development. Step 3: By 8 weeks' gestation, the neural tube has already formed. Step 4: Prenatal vitamins typically contain the recommended amount of folic acid. Step 5: Therefore, the nurse would recommend the patient to stop taking additional folic acid as it's included in prenatal vitamins.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: eliminating drinks containing aspartame. Patients with phenylketonuria lack the enzyme to metabolize phenylalanine, found in aspartame. Avoiding aspartame-containing products is crucial to prevent phenylalanine buildup. Choice A is incorrect as vitamin C is not directly related to phenylketonuria. Choice C is incorrect as protein restriction is necessary, but the recommended intake is individualized and not a fixed amount. Choice D is incorrect as caloric intake is important, but the focus should be on managing phenylalanine levels.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because weight gain in pregnancy should be individualized based on the patient's prepregnant body mass index (BMI). This is important as it takes into consideration the patient's starting weight and helps to determine a healthy range of weight gain to support both maternal and fetal health. This approach is evidence-based and helps to prevent complications such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: A: This statement is incorrect because not all pregnant women need to gain the same amount of weight. Weight gain recommendations vary based on the patient's BMI. B: This statement is incorrect as it provides a specific number for weight gain, which may not be accurate for all pregnant women. Weight gain should be individualized based on BMI. D: This statement is incorrect because weight gain recommendations are distributed evenly across the trimesters, not necessarily more in the first and second trimesters and less in the third.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is C because for breastfeeding, an additional 500 calories/day are needed compared to pregnancy. The recommended caloric intake during pregnancy is around 2200 calories/day. Therefore, increasing from 2200 to 2530 calories/day aligns with the additional 500 calories necessary for sustaining breastfeeding. Summary: A: Going from 1800 to 2200 calories/day does not provide the extra 500 calories needed for breastfeeding. B: Increasing from 2000 to 2500 calories/day does not account for the original pregnancy intake or the additional calories required for breastfeeding. D: Jumping from 2500 to 2730 calories/day exceeds the additional 500 calories needed for breastfeeding, potentially leading to excessive weight gain.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 1 lb every week. During the second and third trimesters, a pregnant woman is expected to gain about 1 lb per week on average. This weight gain is important for the healthy development of the baby and to support the mother's changing body. Gaining weight too slowly can lead to complications, while gaining too quickly can also have negative effects. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they suggest weight gain rates that are either too low or too high for a healthy pregnancy. It is crucial for the nurse to educate the patient on the importance of appropriate weight gain throughout the remaining trimesters to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the baby.