Which of the following is an essential component of a comprehensive antenatal care program?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step 1: Weight monitoring is crucial to assess maternal health and fetal growth. Step 2: Blood pressure measurement helps detect and manage hypertension in pregnancy. Step 3: Nutritional counseling ensures proper intake of nutrients for maternal and fetal well-being. Step 4: All components (A, B, C) are essential for a comprehensive antenatal care program to address different aspects of maternal and fetal health. Thus, D is the correct answer. Weight monitoring, blood pressure measurement, and nutritional counseling are all vital components of antenatal care to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the baby.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months provides complete nutrition for the infant, meeting all their dietary needs. Breast milk contains essential nutrients and antibodies that support healthy growth and development. It also helps to strengthen the baby's immune system and reduce the risk of infections. Ensuring complete nutrition through breastfeeding is crucial for optimal health outcomes in the early stages of life. Preventing childhood obesity, increasing the risk of allergies, and delaying cognitive development are not directly linked to exclusive breastfeeding and are therefore incorrect choices.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Breastfeeding provides passive immunity to the infant. Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect the baby from infections. This passive immunity is crucial for the infant's developing immune system. A: Breastfeeding does not directly reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. C: Breastfeeding is actually associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. D: Breastfeeding can delay the return of menstruation due to hormonal changes, but this is not the main benefit of breastfeeding. In summary, the key benefit of breastfeeding is providing passive immunity to the infant, which is crucial for their health and development.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding is 6 months. This is because breast milk provides all the necessary nutrients for an infant's growth and development in the first 6 months of life. Introducing solid foods too early can increase the risk of infections and allergies. Choice A (3 months) is not ideal as it may not provide sufficient nutrients for the baby's growth. Choices C (9 months) and D (12 months) exceed the recommended duration and may not be necessary for exclusive breastfeeding, as other foods can be introduced after 6 months.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Folic acid. Folic acid is essential for fetal development, especially in preventing neural tube defects. It aids in the formation of the neural tube, which develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord. Pregnant women are advised to take folic acid supplements to reduce the risk of these defects. Rationale for other choices: A: Vitamin C - While important for overall health, Vitamin C does not specifically reduce the risk of neural tube defects. B: Vitamin D - Important for bone health, but not directly linked to reducing neural tube defects. D: Iron - Necessary for preventing anemia during pregnancy, but not specifically known to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.