Chapter 09: Maternal and Fetal Nutrition Perry:
Maternal Child Nursing Care, 6th Edition
Question and answers
1. A 22-year-old woman pregnant with a single fetus has a preconception body mass index (BMI) of 24.
When she was seen in the clinic at 14 weeks of gestation, she had gained 1.8 kg (4 lbs) since conception.
How would the nurse interpret this?
a. This weight gain indicates possible gestational hypertension.
b. This weight gain indicates that the woman's infant is at risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
c. This weight gain cannot be evaluated until the woman has been observed for several more weeks.
d. The woman's weight gain is appropriate for this stage of pregnancy. ANS: D
The statement "The woman's weight gain is appropriate for this stage of pregnancy" is accurate. This
woman's BMI is within the normal range. During the first trimester, the average total weight gain is only
1 to 2 kg. Although weight gain does indicate possible gestational hypertension, it does not apply to this
patient. The desirable weight gain during pregnancy varies among women. The primary factor to
consider in making a weight gain recommendation is the appropriateness of the prepregnancy weight
for the woman's height. A commonly used method of evaluating the appropriateness of weight for
height is the BMI. Although weight gain does indicate risk for IUGR, this does not apply to this patient.
Weight gain should occur at a steady rate throughout the pregnancy. The optimal rate of weight gain
also depends on the stage of the pregnancy.
2. Which meal would provide the most absorbable iron?
a. Toasted cheese sandwich, celery sticks, tomato slices, and a grape drink
b. Oatmeal, whole wheat toast, jelly, and low-fat milk
c. Black bean soup, wheat crackers, orange sections, and prunes
d. Red beans and rice, cornbread, mixed greens, and decaffeinated tea ANS: C
Food sources that are rich in iron include liver, meats, whole grain or enriched breads and cereals, deep
green leafy vegetables, legumes, and dried fruits. In addition, the vitamin C in orange sections aids
absorption. Dairy products and tea are not sources of iron.
3. A pregnant woman's diet consists almost entirely of whole grain breads and cereals, fruits, and
vegetables. The nurse would be most concerned about this woman's intake of:
a. calcium.
b. protein.
c. vitamin B12.
d. folic acid. ANS: C
, Chapter 09: Maternal and Fetal Nutrition Perry:
Maternal Child Nursing Care, 6th Edition
Question and answers
This diet is consistent with that followed by a strict vegetarian (vegan). Vegans consume only plant
products. Because vitamin B12 is found in foods of animal origin, this diet is deficient in vitamin B12.
4. A pregnant woman experiencing nausea and vomiting should:
a. drink a glass of water with a fat-free carbohydrate before getting out of bed in the morning.
b. eat small, frequent meals (every 2 to 3 hours).
c. increase her intake of high-fat foods to keep the stomach full and coated.
d. limit fluid intake throughout the day. ANS: B
Eating small, frequent meals is the correct suggestion for a woman experiencing nausea and vomiting. A
pregnant woman experiencing nausea and vomiting should avoid consuming fluids earl y in the day or
when nauseated, but should compensate by drinking fluids at other times. A pregnant woman
experiencing nausea and vomiting should reduce her intake of fried and other fatty foods.
5. A pregnant woman reports that she is still playing tennis at 32 weeks of gestation. The nurse would be
most concerned that during and after tennis matches this woman consumes:
a. several glasses of fluid.
b. extra protein sources such as peanut butter.
c. salty foods to replace lost sodium.
d. easily digested sources of carbohydrate. ANS: A
If no medical or obstetric problems contraindicate physical activity, pregnant women should get 30
minutes of moderate physical exercise daily. Liberal amounts of fluid should be consumed before,
during, and after exercise because dehydration can trigger premature labor. The woman's calorie intake
should be sufficient to meet the increased needs of pregnancy and the demands of exercise.
6. Which statement made by a lactating woman would lead the nurse to believe that the woman might
have lactose intolerance?
a. "I always have heartburn after I drink milk."
b. "If I drink more than a cup of milk, I usually have abdominal cramps and bloating."
c. "Drinking milk usually makes me break out in hives."
d. "Sometimes I notice that I have bad breath after I drink a cup of milk." ANS: B
Abdominal cramps and bloating are consistent with lactose intolerance. One problem that can interfere
with milk consumption is lactose intolerance, which is the inability to digest milk sugar because of a lack
of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine. Milk consumption may cause abdominal cramping, bloating,
Maternal Child Nursing Care, 6th Edition
Question and answers
1. A 22-year-old woman pregnant with a single fetus has a preconception body mass index (BMI) of 24.
When she was seen in the clinic at 14 weeks of gestation, she had gained 1.8 kg (4 lbs) since conception.
How would the nurse interpret this?
a. This weight gain indicates possible gestational hypertension.
b. This weight gain indicates that the woman's infant is at risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
c. This weight gain cannot be evaluated until the woman has been observed for several more weeks.
d. The woman's weight gain is appropriate for this stage of pregnancy. ANS: D
The statement "The woman's weight gain is appropriate for this stage of pregnancy" is accurate. This
woman's BMI is within the normal range. During the first trimester, the average total weight gain is only
1 to 2 kg. Although weight gain does indicate possible gestational hypertension, it does not apply to this
patient. The desirable weight gain during pregnancy varies among women. The primary factor to
consider in making a weight gain recommendation is the appropriateness of the prepregnancy weight
for the woman's height. A commonly used method of evaluating the appropriateness of weight for
height is the BMI. Although weight gain does indicate risk for IUGR, this does not apply to this patient.
Weight gain should occur at a steady rate throughout the pregnancy. The optimal rate of weight gain
also depends on the stage of the pregnancy.
2. Which meal would provide the most absorbable iron?
a. Toasted cheese sandwich, celery sticks, tomato slices, and a grape drink
b. Oatmeal, whole wheat toast, jelly, and low-fat milk
c. Black bean soup, wheat crackers, orange sections, and prunes
d. Red beans and rice, cornbread, mixed greens, and decaffeinated tea ANS: C
Food sources that are rich in iron include liver, meats, whole grain or enriched breads and cereals, deep
green leafy vegetables, legumes, and dried fruits. In addition, the vitamin C in orange sections aids
absorption. Dairy products and tea are not sources of iron.
3. A pregnant woman's diet consists almost entirely of whole grain breads and cereals, fruits, and
vegetables. The nurse would be most concerned about this woman's intake of:
a. calcium.
b. protein.
c. vitamin B12.
d. folic acid. ANS: C
, Chapter 09: Maternal and Fetal Nutrition Perry:
Maternal Child Nursing Care, 6th Edition
Question and answers
This diet is consistent with that followed by a strict vegetarian (vegan). Vegans consume only plant
products. Because vitamin B12 is found in foods of animal origin, this diet is deficient in vitamin B12.
4. A pregnant woman experiencing nausea and vomiting should:
a. drink a glass of water with a fat-free carbohydrate before getting out of bed in the morning.
b. eat small, frequent meals (every 2 to 3 hours).
c. increase her intake of high-fat foods to keep the stomach full and coated.
d. limit fluid intake throughout the day. ANS: B
Eating small, frequent meals is the correct suggestion for a woman experiencing nausea and vomiting. A
pregnant woman experiencing nausea and vomiting should avoid consuming fluids earl y in the day or
when nauseated, but should compensate by drinking fluids at other times. A pregnant woman
experiencing nausea and vomiting should reduce her intake of fried and other fatty foods.
5. A pregnant woman reports that she is still playing tennis at 32 weeks of gestation. The nurse would be
most concerned that during and after tennis matches this woman consumes:
a. several glasses of fluid.
b. extra protein sources such as peanut butter.
c. salty foods to replace lost sodium.
d. easily digested sources of carbohydrate. ANS: A
If no medical or obstetric problems contraindicate physical activity, pregnant women should get 30
minutes of moderate physical exercise daily. Liberal amounts of fluid should be consumed before,
during, and after exercise because dehydration can trigger premature labor. The woman's calorie intake
should be sufficient to meet the increased needs of pregnancy and the demands of exercise.
6. Which statement made by a lactating woman would lead the nurse to believe that the woman might
have lactose intolerance?
a. "I always have heartburn after I drink milk."
b. "If I drink more than a cup of milk, I usually have abdominal cramps and bloating."
c. "Drinking milk usually makes me break out in hives."
d. "Sometimes I notice that I have bad breath after I drink a cup of milk." ANS: B
Abdominal cramps and bloating are consistent with lactose intolerance. One problem that can interfere
with milk consumption is lactose intolerance, which is the inability to digest milk sugar because of a lack
of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine. Milk consumption may cause abdominal cramping, bloating,
