Needs of Maternal and Reproductive Health Clients Related

Review Needs of Maternal and Reproductive Health Clients related questions and content

A pregnant patient arrives for her first prenatal visit at the clinic. She informs the nurse that she has been taking an additional 400 mcg of folic acid prior to becoming pregnant. Based on the patient's history, she has reached 8 weeks' gestation. Which recommendation would the nurse provide regarding folic acid supplementation?

  • A. Have the patient continue to take 400 mcg folic acid throughout her pregnancy.
  • B. Tell the patient that she no longer has to take additional folic acid because it will be included in her prenatal vitamins.
  • C. Have the patient increase her folic acid intake to 1000 mcg throughout the rest of her pregnancy.
  • D. Schedule the patient to go for an AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) test.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: The patient has been taking an additional 400 mcg of folic acid prior to pregnancy.
Step 2: Folic acid is crucial in the early stages of pregnancy for neural tube development.
Step 3: By 8 weeks' gestation, the neural tube has already formed.
Step 4: Prenatal vitamins typically contain the recommended amount of folic acid.
Step 5: Therefore, the nurse would recommend the patient to stop taking additional folic acid as it's included in prenatal vitamins.