A patient with a BMI of 32 has a positive pregnancy test. What is the maximum number of pounds that the nurse will advise the patient gain during the pregnancy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A (20 lb). During pregnancy, the recommended weight gain for a woman with a BMI of 30-39.9 is 11-20 pounds. This range helps reduce the risk of complications associated with excessive weight gain. Option B (25 lb) exceeds this recommended range, while options C (28 lb) and D (40 lb) are even further beyond the healthy weight gain guidelines for a BMI of 32. Thus, advising the patient to gain a maximum of 20 pounds is the most appropriate recommendation to ensure a healthy pregnancy outcome.