PERRY’SMATERNAL CHILD
NURSING CARE, (MATERNAL AND
FETAL NUTRITION) EXAM QUESTIONS
AND THEIR REVIEWED 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
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 early 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
NURSING CARE, (MATERNAL AND
FETAL NUTRITION) EXAM QUESTIONS
AND THEIR REVIEWED 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
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 early 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
