A nurse is caring for a pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes and is of African-Caribbean origin.
The nurse should recognize that the woman's ethnicity is associated with which of the following characteristics?
Higher insulin resistance
Lower birth weight
Earlier onset of diabetes
Faster resolution of diabetes
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A. Higher insulin resistance. According to a systematic review of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Africa, African-Caribbean women have higher insulin resistance than other ethnic groups, which increases their risk of developing GDM.
Insulin resistance is a condition where the body does not respond well to the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.
Choice B is wrong because lower birth weight is not associated with GDM in African-Caribbean women. In fact, some studies have found that GDM increases the risk of macrosomia (large for gestational age infants) and higher mean birth weight.
Choice C is wrong because earlier onset of diabetes is not a characteristic of African-Caribbean women with GDM.
GDM is usually diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, regardless of ethnicity. However, women with GDM have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Choice D is wrong because faster resolution of diabetes is not a characteristic of African-Caribbean women with GDM. Most women with GDM revert to normal glucose metabolism after delivery, but some may have persistent glucose intolerance or diabetes. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes after GDM is also higher for African-Caribbean women than other ethnic groups.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. “I should have my baby weighed at every prenatal visit.” This statement indicates a need for further teaching because having the baby weighed at every prenatal visit is not a way to prevent or detect gestational diabetes.Gestational diabetes is a condition in which women develop high blood sugar during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and insufficient insulin production.It can cause complications for the mother and the baby, such as high blood pressure, heavy birth weight, premature delivery, low blood sugar and future diabetes.
Choice A is wrong because losing weight before getting pregnant if one has a high BMI is a good way to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.Obesity is one of the biggest risk factors for developing gestational diabetes, as it affects the body’s ability to use insulin effectively.
Choice B is wrong because telling the doctor if one has a family history of diabetes is also a good way to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.Having a parent or sibling with diabetes increases the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes, as it may indicate a genetic predisposition to insulin resistance.
Choice C is wrong because avoiding getting pregnant after 40 years old is another good way to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.Maternal age is one of the most important independent risk factors for gestational diabetes, as older women tend to have more insulin resistance and less beta-cell function than younger women.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Type 2 diabetes.The nurse should explain that the woman has a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life because gestational diabetes is a condition where the body cannot use insulin properly during pregnancy.This can lead to high blood sugar levels and affect the health of both the mother and the baby.Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, but it increases the chance of getting type 2 diabetes in the future.According to the CDC, up to 50% of women with gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years after delivery.
Choice A is wrong because hypertension is not directly related to gestational diabetes.However, high blood pressure can be a complication of pregnancy and can increase the risk of preeclampsia, a serious condition that can affect both the mother and the baby.
Choice B is wrong because osteoporosis is not directly related to gestational diabetes.
Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become weak and brittle due to loss of bone density.It can be influenced by factors such as age, genetics, diet, lifestyle, and hormonal changes.
Choice D is wrong because thyroid disease is not directly related to gestational diabetes.
Thyroid disease is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much or too little thyroid hormone, which regulates the metabolism and other body functions.It can be caused by autoimmune disorders, infections, tumors, medications, or iodine deficiency.
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