Which of the following is the priority nursing action for a client at 33 weeks of gestation with a diagnosis of placenta previa?

Choice A Reason:
The recommended intake of iron does not necessarily increase during lactation. In fact, the iron requirement may decrease because menstruation usually ceases, reducing iron loss. However, maintaining adequate iron intake is still important for overall health and to support the baby's growth.

Choice B Reason:
Zinc is crucial for immune function, cell division, and growth, making it an important nutrient during lactation. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for zinc for lactating women is indeed higher than for non-pregnant, non-lactating women, with an RDA of about 12 mg per day.

Choice C Reason:
While calcium is important for bone health, the recommended intake for lactating women is not as high as 2,000 mg per day. The RDA for calcium for lactating women is about 1,000 mg per day, similar to that for non-lactating women.

Choice D Reason:
The recommended intake of folic acid does not remain the same as for pregnant women. During pregnancy, the RDA for folic acid is higher to prevent neural tube defects. While folic acid is still important during lactation for cell growth and DNA synthesis, the requirement is slightly lower than during pregnancy.

Choice A reason:
Checking basal body temperature 1 hour following intercourse is not recommended as a method to determine ovulation. Intercourse and physical activity can increase body temperature, which may lead to inaccurate readings. Basal body temperature should be measured after a period of rest, not after physical activity.

Choice B reason:
The basal body temperature method involves measuring the body's at-rest temperature to identify slight changes that occur around the time of ovulation. It is most accurate when taken every morning before getting out of bed, after at least 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep, and before any physical activity, including eating or drinking. A slight increase in basal body temperature typically occurs after ovulation and remains elevated until the next menstrual period. This method requires consistency and precise timing to be effective.

Choice C reason:
Measuring basal body temperature before going to bed every night is not an effective way to track ovulation. The body's temperature fluctuates throughout the day due to various factors, including activity levels, meals, and external temperatures. Therefore, nighttime measurements would not provide the consistent, resting temperature needed to accurately detect ovulation.

Choice D reason:
While it is true that ovulation typically occurs around the middle of the menstrual cycle, which for many women is between days 13 to 17, limiting temperature checks to these days only may miss the initial rise in temperature that indicates ovulation. Ovulation can vary from cycle to cycle, and it is important to measure basal body temperature daily to detect the pattern over time.