The mother of a 4-month-old baby girl asks the nurse when she should introduce solid foods to her infant.The mother states, "My mother says I should put rice cereal in the baby's bottle now.”. The nurse should instruct the mother to introduce solid foods when her child exhibits which behavior? 

Choice A rationale

A weight gain of 2 pounds (0.91 kg) in a 34-week gestation multigravida is generally considered normal. During the third trimester, it is typical for a pregnant woman to gain around 0.5 to 1 pound per week. This weight gain helps support the growing fetus and prepare the mother's body for labor and breastfeeding. However, sudden or excessive weight gain could indicate fluid retention or preeclampsia, but a 2-pound gain alone is not necessarily a concern.

Choice B rationale

1+ edema on the lower extremities is a common finding during pregnancy, especially in the later stages. It is usually due to increased blood volume and pressure on the pelvic veins from the growing uterus, which can slow the return of blood from the legs. While some degree of edema is normal, particularly in the ankles and feet, it is important to monitor for sudden or severe swelling, which could be a sign of preeclampsia.

Choice C rationale

A fundal height of 30 cm at 34 weeks gestation is concerning because it is less than the expected measurement. Fundal height typically corresponds to gestational age in centimeters (±2 cm). Therefore, at 34 weeks, the expected fundal height would be between 32 and 36 cm. A smaller fundal height could indicate intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), oligohydramnios, or other fetal development issues, which require further evaluation by the healthcare provider.

Choice D rationale

A fetal heart rate (FHR) of 110 beats per minute (bpm) is within the normal range for a fetus. The normal FHR typically ranges from 110 to 160 bpm. Although 110 bpm is on the lower end of the normal range, it is still considered acceptable. Significant deviations from the normal range, either too low (bradycardia) or too high (tachycardia), could indicate fetal distress and require immediate attention.

Choice A rationale

A sore throat, often due to Streptococcus pyogenes, is a significant precursor to acute rheumatic fever. The body’s immune response to the infection can attack its own tissues, leading to rheumatic heart disease if untreated.

Choice B rationale

Influenza is a viral infection and does not typically lead to acute rheumatic fever. While it can cause significant illness, its mechanism and sequelae are unrelated to those of rheumatic fever.

Choice C rationale

Chickenpox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, presents with distinct symptoms like a vesicular rash and is not linked to rheumatic fever. It primarily affects the skin and nervous system, not the heart.

Choice D rationale

Mumps, a viral infection, mainly impacts the salivary glands and sometimes the pancreas and testes but is not associated with rheumatic fever. Its pathology differs from the immune-mediated damage seen in rheumatic fever.