A nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about gestational diabetes screening.

Which statement indicates understanding?

The correct answer is choice A.“Consume regular meals and snacks to maintain stable blood glucose levels.” This is because eating at regular intervals helps prevent blood sugar spikes and drops, which can be harmful for both the mother and the baby.A healthy diet for gestational diabetes should include a variety of foods from different food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products.

Choice B is wrong because “Avoid fruits and vegetables to minimize carbohydrate intake.” Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, which are beneficial for both the mother and the baby.Carbohydrates are not bad for gestational diabetes, as long as they are complex carbohydrates that are digested slowly and do not cause rapid blood sugar spikes.Examples of complex carbohydrates are whole wheat bread, brown rice, oats, quinoa, beans, and lentils.

Choice C is wrong because “Focus on consuming high-fat foods to meet nutritional needs.” High-fat foods can increase the risk of weight gain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease, which can complicate gestational diabetes.

Moreover, not all fats are healthy.Saturated fats and trans fats should be avoided or limited, as they can raise bad cholesterol levels and increase inflammation.Examples of saturated fats are butter, cheese, cream, fatty meats, and coconut oil.Examples of trans fats are margarine, shortening, baked goods, fried foods, and processed snacks.Healthy fats are unsaturated fats that can lower bad cholesterol levels and provide essential fatty acids.

Examples of unsaturated fats

The correct answer is choice B. Drink water only for 8 hours before the test.This is because the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) requires fasting for about 8 hours before the test to get accurate results.

The woman should not eat or drink anything except water during this time.

Choice A is wrong because eating a high-carbohydrate meal the night before can raise the blood glucose level and affect the test results.

Choice C is wrong because caffeine and smoking can also affect the blood glucose level and interfere with the test results.

Choice D is wrong because some medications can alter the blood glucose level and cause false-positive or false-negative results.The woman should consult her doctor about taking her usual medications before the test.

Normal ranges for OGTT vary depending on the laboratory and the type of glucose solution used.Generally, a normal fasting blood glucose level is less than 100 mg/dL, a normal 1-hour level is less than 180 mg/dL, a normal 2-hour level is less than 155 mg/dL, and a normal 3-hour level is less than 140 mg/dL.