What is the most dangerous effect on the fetus of a mother who smokes cigarettes while pregnant?

Choice A reason: A daily consumption of alcohol does not necessarily indicate a risk for alcoholism, although it is not recommended for pregnant women. Alcoholism is a chronic disease that involves physical and psychological dependence on alcohol, and it requires more than one criterion to be diagnosed.

Choice B reason: She will not be at risk for abusing other substances as well, unless she has a history or predisposition for substance abuse. Alcohol use during pregnancy does not cause other substance abuse problems, although it may co-occur with them.

Choice C reason: The fetus is not at risk for multiple organ anomalies, unless the mother consumes large amounts of alcohol during the first trimester of pregnancy. This can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is characterized by facial dysmorphia, growth retardation, and intellectual disability. However, FAS is rare and not related to moderate alcohol intake during the second trimester.

Choice D reason: The fetus is placed at risk for altered brain growth, as alcohol can cross the placenta and affect the developing nervous system of the fetus. Alcohol exposure during the second trimester can impair the formation and migration of neurons, leading to reduced brain size and function. This can result in learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and cognitive impairments in the child.

Choice A reason: Anxiety due to hospitalization is not a likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. Anxiety can cause some symptoms, such as headache, palpitations, or sweating, but it does not cause visual changes or epigastric pain. Anxiety is also not a common complication of pregnancy-induced hypertension, which is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

Choice B reason: Effects of magnesium sulfate are not a likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. Magnesium sulfate is a medication used to prevent seizures and lower blood pressure in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension. It can cause some side effects, such as flushing, nausea, or drowsiness, but it does not cause headache, visual changes, or epigastric pain. In fact, magnesium sulfate can help relieve these symptoms by reducing the cerebral edema and vasospasm caused by pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Choice C reason: Worsening disease and impending convulsion are the most likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. These signs indicate that the patient is developing severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, which are life-threatening complications of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and signs of organ damage, such as headache, visual changes, epigastric pain, or decreased urine output. Eclampsia is the occurrence of seizures in a patient with preeclampsia. These conditions can lead to stroke, bleeding, placental abruption, or fetal distress, and require immediate medical attention.

Choice D reason: Gastrointestinal upset is not a likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. Gastrointestinal upset can cause some symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, but it does not cause headache, visual changes, or epigastric pain. Gastrointestinal upset is also not a common complication of pregnancy-induced hypertension, which is a condition that affects the blood vessels and organs, not the digestive system.