A client with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes and an HbA1c of 6.0% is planning to become pregnant soon. What anticipatory teaching should the nurse provide this client?
Select one:
Insulin needs decrease in the first trimester, but increase in the second trimester as the woman's body becomes more insulin-resistant.
Vascular disease that always accompanies diabetes slows fetal growth.
The risk of ketoacidosis decreases during the length of the pregnancy.
The baby is likely to have a congenital abnormality because of the uncontrolled diabetes.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason: Insulin needs decrease in the first trimester, but increase in the second trimester as the woman's body becomes more insulin-resistant. This is because this statement describes the typical patern of insulin requirements during pregnancy for women with pre-existing diabetes. Insulin needs decrease in the first trimester due to increased insulin production by the pancreas, increased insulin sensitivity by the tissues, and increased risk of hypoglycemia due to nausea and vomiting. Insulin needs increase in the second trimester due to increased levels of placental hormones such as human placental lactogen (hPL), which antagonize insulin action and cause insulin resistance.
Choice B Reason: Vascular disease that always accompanies diabetes slows fetal growth. This is an incorrect answer that makes a false and exaggerated claim about diabetes and fetal growth. Vascular disease does not always accompany diabetes, but it can be a complication of long-term or poorly controlled diabetes that affects blood vessels and circulation. Vascular disease can affect fetal growth by reducing placental perfusion and oxygen delivery, but it is not the only factor that influences fetal growth. Other factors include maternal nutrition, genetics, infections, or anomalies.
Choice C Reason: The risk of ketoacidosis decreases during the length of the pregnancy. This is an incorrect answer that contradicts the evidence and guidelines on diabetes and ketoacidosis during pregnancy. Ketoacidosis is a metabolic emergency where high levels of ketones accumulate in the blood due to insufficient insulin or excessive glucose utilization, which causes acidosis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and coma. Ketoacidosis can occur in women with diabetes during pregnancy due to infection, stress, starvation, or inadequate insulin therapy. The risk of ketoacidosis does not decrease during the length of the pregnancy, but rather increases in the second and third trimesters due to increased insulin resistance and glucose production.
Choice D Reason: The baby is likely to have a congenital abnormality because of the uncontrolled diabetes. This is an incorrect answer that implies a negative and deterministic outcome for the baby. Congenital abnormalities are structural or functional defects that are present at birth, which can affect various organs or systems in the baby.
Congenital abnormalities can be caused by genetic or environmental factors, or a combination of both. Diabetes can increase the risk of congenital abnormalities, especially if the blood glucose levels are high during the first trimester, when organogenesis occurs. However, the risk of congenital abnormalities is not inevitable or predictable, and it can be reduced by maintaining good glycemic control before and during pregnancy.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Macrosomic newborn. This is a correct answer that describes a possible complication of post-term pregnancy. A macrosomic newborn is a newborn that weighs more than 4000 grams or 8 pounds 13 ounces at birth. It can occur in post-term pregnancies due to prolonged exposure to maternal glucose and insulin. It can increase the risk of birth injuries, shoulder dystocia, cesarean delivery, and hypoglycemia.
Choice B Reason: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This is a correct answer that indicates a potential problem of post-term pregnancy. IUGR is a condition where the fetal growth is slower than expected for gestational age. It can occur in post-term pregnancies due to placental insufficiency, aging, or calcification, which can impair nutrient and oxygen delivery to the fetus. It can increase the risk of fetal distress, hypoxia, acidosis, and stillbirth.
Choice C Reason: Umbilical cord prolapse. This is an incorrect answer that does not reflect a risk of post-term pregnancy, but rather a risk of other factors such as prematurity, low birth weight, breech presentation, multiple gestation, polyhydramnios, or artificial rupture of membranes.
Choice D Reason: Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS). This is a correct answer that denotes a possible complication of post-term pregnancy. MAS occurs when fetal stool (meconium) enters into the lungs before or during birth, causing airway obstruction, inflammation, and infection. MAS usually affects term or post-term infants who experience fetal distress or hypoxia in utero. It can cause respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), or chronic lung disease (CLD).
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Daily weight. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a valid parameter to assess hydration status. Daily weight is a measure of the body mass that can reflect changes in fluid balance. Daily weight can help detect fluid loss or gain in premature infants, who are more prone to dehydration or overhydration due to immature renal function and high insensible water loss.
Choice B Reason: Consistency of stool. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a valid parameter to assess hydration status. Consistency of stool is a measure of the texture and form of feces that can reflect changes in fluid intake and absorption. Consistency of stool can help identify diarrhea or constipation in premature infants, who are more susceptible to gastrointestinal problems such as necrotizing enterocolitis or feeding intolerance.
Choice C Reason: Volume of urine output. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a valid parameter to assess hydration status. Volume of urine output is a measure of the amount of urine produced and excreted by the kidneys that can reflect changes in fluid balance and renal function. Volume of urine output can help monitor hydration status and kidney function in premature infants, who are more vulnerable to fluid overload or deficit and renal impairment.
Choice D Reason: Blood pH. This is because blood pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the blood, which reflects the balance between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate in the body. Blood pH is not a direct indicator of hydration status, which refers to the amount of water and electrolytes in the body. Hydration status can affect blood pH, but blood pH can also be influenced by other factors such as respiratory or metabolic disorders.

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