A patient who is 34 weeks pregnant attends the antepartal clinic and is diagnosed with mild pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). The decision is made to treat the patient at home.
Which instruction would be most appropriate to give to the patient?

The correct answer is choice C. Ask what the patient ate and drank within the last day or two.This is because the nurse needs to assess the patient’s current nutritional status and eating habits before providing any education or advice.The nurse can then tailor the counseling to the patient’s specific needs and preferences.

Choice A is wrong because it is not the first action that the nurse should take.While it is important to explain the importance of adequate nutrition for the patient’s own growth and development, this should be done after assessing the patient’s current situation.

Choice B is wrong because it is not the first action that the nurse should take.While it is important to explain the relationship between the patient’s eating habits and fetal development, this should be done after assessing the patient’s current situation.

Choice D is wrong because it is not the first action that the nurse should take.While it is important to discuss with the patient the basic nutritional requirements of pregnancy, this should be done after assessing the patient’s current situation.

The normal ranges for nutritional intake during pregnancy vary depending on the age, weight, activity level, and health status of the patient.

However, some general guidelines are:

• Increase calorie intake by about 300 calories per day

• Increase protein intake by about 25 grams per day

• Increase calcium intake by about 1000 milligrams per day

• Increase iron intake by about 27 milligrams per day

• Increase folic acid intake by about 600 micrograms per day

• Increase fluid intake by about 8 to 10 cups per day

The correct answer is choice C.Adolescents need more protein than older pregnant women because they are still growing themselves and need to support the growth of the baby and the placenta.Protein can be found in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, and fortified cereals.

Choice A is wrong because adolescents need more supplemental iron than older women, not less.This is because they have lower iron stores due to rapid growth and menstruation.Iron deficiency can cause anemia and increase the risk of infections and bleeding.Iron can be found in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, and fortified cereals.

Choice B is wrong because adolescents need more carbohydrates than older women, not less.Carbohydrates provide energy for the mother and the baby and spare protein for other functions.Carbohydrates can be found in grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.

Choice D is wrong because adolescents need the same amount of vitamin C as older pregnant women, which is 85 milligrams per day.Vitamin C helps with wound healing, collagen formation, iron absorption, and immune function.Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, potatoes, and fortified juices.