A nurse in a prenatal clinic is conducting a skin assessment of a patient in her second trimester.
Which findings should the nurse anticipate? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A rationale

Anomalies in fetal chromosomes can be identified through amniocentesis. This test involves the extraction of a small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains fetal tissues. The chromosomes of the fetus can be examined for abnormalities.

Choice B rationale

Cephalopelvic disproportion refers to a condition where the mother’s pelvis is too small to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal. This condition cannot be identified through amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is a diagnostic procedure that examines the amniotic fluid (not the maternal pelvis or the size of the fetus) to detect chromosomal abnormalities and certain genetic disorders.

Choice C rationale

Fetal gender can be determined through amniocentesis. The test can identify the presence of Y chromosomes, which would indicate a male fetus.

Choice D rationale

Rh incompatibility is a condition that occurs when a mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive. This condition cannot be identified through amniocentesis. Instead, it is typically identified through blood tests of the mother and father.

Choice E rationale

Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, can be identified through amniocentesis. The test can detect high levels of alpha-fetoprotein, which is often present when a fetus has a neural tube defect.

Choice A rationale

Vitamin E is an important nutrient during pregnancy as it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from damage. However, its requirements do not decline during pregnancy due to an increase in body fat.

Choice B rationale

While iron is an important nutrient during pregnancy, it’s not necessary to double your intake. Iron needs do increase during pregnancy because it’s needed to make more blood to supply oxygen to the baby. However, this should be managed under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Choice C rationale

While it’s true that calcium intake should be increased during breastfeeding, this is not specifically related to nutrition during pregnancy. During pregnancy, adequate calcium intake is important for the development of the baby’s bones and teeth.

Choice D rationale

Prenatal vitamins are designed to meet the increased nutritional needs of pregnancy, and they include a variety of vitamins and minerals. One of these is vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium and is important for the baby’s bone growth. Therefore, taking prenatal vitamins can indeed help to meet the need for increased vitamin D during pregnancy.