A woman in the last trimester of pregnancy drinks 8 to 12 ounces of alcohol daily. The nurse plans for the delivery of an infant who is:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), characterized by microcephaly and cognitive impairments. Alcohol can cross the placental barrier, affecting the developing fetus's brain and causing irreversible damage. Jaundice (choice A) is not directly caused by alcohol consumption but by other factors like liver dysfunction. Dependence on alcohol (choice B) is a consequence for the mother, not the baby. Although alcohol can lead to low birth weight, the term "underweight" (choice C) is not specific enough to capture the full extent of harm caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.