A nurse is teaching a client who is at 23 weeks of gestation about immunizations. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason: Hyperbilirubinemia is incorrect because it is not a major complication of infants of diabetic mothers. It is a condition where the baby has high levels of bilirubin in the blood, which can cause jaundice. It can occur in any newborn, but it is more common in premature babies, babies with blood type incompatibility, or babies with infections.

Choice B reason: Hypoglycemia is correct because it is a major complication of infants of diabetic mothers. It is a condition where the baby has low blood sugar levels, which can cause seizures, lethargy, or poor feeding. It can occur because the baby's pancreas produces too much insulin in response to the mother's high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

Choice C reason: Hypoinsulinemia is incorrect because it is not a major complication of infants of diabetic mothers. It is a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin, which can cause high blood sugar levels. It can occur in children or adults with type 1 diabetes, but not in newborns of diabetic mothers.

Choice D reason: Hypercalcemia is incorrect because it is not a major complication of infants of diabetic mothers. It is a condition where the baby has high levels of calcium in the blood, which can cause muscle weakness, vomiting, or kidney stones. It can occur in babies with certain genetic disorders, such as Williams syndrome, or babies with hyperparathyroidism, but not in infants of diabetic mothers.

Choice A reason: Taking the medication between meals will help you avoid becoming constipated is incorrect because it is not the reason why the provider instructed that she take the ferrous sulfate between meals. It is a possible benefit of taking the medication between meals, but it is not the main purpose. Iron supplements can cause constipation, but this can be prevented by drinking plenty of fluids, eating high-fiber foods, and exercising regularly.

Choice B reason: The medication can cause nausea if taken with food is incorrect because it is not the reason why the provider instructed that she take the ferrous sulfate between meals. It is a possible side effect of taking the medication with or without food, but it is not the main reason. Iron supplements can cause nausea, but this can be reduced by taking the medication with a small amount of food, such as crackers, or by taking an antiemetic medication.

Choice C reason: Taking the medication between meals will help you absorb the medication more efficiently is correct because it is the reason why the provider instructed that she take the ferrous sulfate between meals. It is the main purpose of taking the medication between meals, as iron absorption is enhanced when the stomach is empty and the pH is low. Iron supplements can interact with food components, such as calcium, phytates, and tannins, and reduce the amount of iron that is absorbed by the body.

Choice D reason: Taking the medication with food increases the risk of esophagitis is incorrect because it is not the reason why the provider instructed that she take the ferrous sulfate between meals. It is a possible complication of taking the medication without enough water, but it is not the main reason. Iron supplements can cause esophagitis, which is inflammation of the esophagus, if they are not swallowed properly or if they get stuck in the throat. This can be prevented by taking the medication with a full glass of water, sitting upright, and not lying down for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication.