When evaluating a patient for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the nurse should be aware that the most common bacterial STI is:

Choice A reason: This is not the correct answer, as the pregnant woman does not use glucose at a more rapid rate than the nonpregnant woman. In fact, the pregnant woman has lower fasting glucose levels and higher postprandial glucose levels than the nonpregnant woman. This is because the pregnant woman adapts to the increased fetal demand for glucose by increasing her insulin secretion and decreasing her hepatic glucose production.

Choice B reason: This is the correct answer, as placental hormones are antagonistic to insulin, thus resulting in insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition where the cells do not respond well to insulin and require more insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. Placental hormones, such as human placental lactogen, progesterone, and cortisol, increase the insulin resistance of the maternal tissues, especially in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. This is to ensure that the fetus has enough glucose supply, as the placenta is not insulin resistant and can transport glucose to the fetus².

Choice C reason: This is not the correct answer, as pancreatic function in the islets of Langerhans is not affected by pregnancy. The islets of Langerhans are clusters of cells in the pancreas that produce hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, that regulate glucose metabolism. Pregnancy does not impair the function of the islets of Langerhans, but rather stimulates them to increase their size and number. This is to compensate for the increased insulin resistance and glucose demand of the pregnancy.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer, as the pregnant woman does not increase her dietary intake significantly. The pregnant woman needs to consume adequate calories and nutrients to support the fetal growth and development, but not excessively. The recommended weight gain during pregnancy depends on the pre-pregnancy BMI of the woman, but generally ranges from 11 to 16 kg. The recommended calorie intake during pregnancy is about 300 kcal more than the pre-pregnancy intake, which is equivalent to one extra snack per day.

Choice A reason: Normal weight women should gain 11.5 to 16 kg during pregnancy, according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines. This is based on the body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 before pregnancy.

Choice B reason: Underweight women should gain 12.5 to 18 kg during pregnancy, according to the IOM guidelines. This is based on the BMI of less than 18.5 before pregnancy. Underweight women are at risk of having low birth weight infants, so they need to gain more weight to support fetal growth and development.

Choice C reason: Adolescents are encouraged to strive for weight gains at the upper end of the recommended scale, according to the IOM guidelines. This is because adolescents are still growing themselves and need extra nutrients and calories to meet their own needs and those of the fetus.

Choice D reason: In twin gestations, the weight gain recommended for a single fetus pregnancy should not be simply doubled. The IOM guidelines suggest that women with twin gestations should gain 16.5 to 24.5 kg if they have a normal weight before pregnancy, 14 to 22.5 kg if they are overweight, and 11 to 19 kg if they are obese.

Choice E reason: Obese women should gain at least 7 to 11.5 kg during pregnancy, according to the IOM guidelines. This is based on the BMI of 30 or more before pregnancy. Obese women are at risk of having complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery, so they need to limit their weight gain to avoid further complications.