A nurse is educating a group of patients in their first trimester about exercise during pregnancy.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a condition that can occur in newborns, especially those born to mothers with gestational diabetes. However, there is no information in the question indicating that the mother had gestational diabetes. Therefore, while hypoglycemia is a possible complication for newborns, it is not the most likely complication in this case based on the information provided.

Choice B rationale

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a group of problems that occur in a newborn who was exposed to addictive opiate drugs while in the mother’s womb. NAS can occur when a pregnant woman takes drugs such as heroin, codeine, oxycodone (Oxycontin), methadone, or buprenorphine. These and other substances pass through the placenta that connects the baby to its mother in the womb and can cause the baby to become dependent on the drug. In this case, the mother’s urine toxicology screen was positive for cocaine and marijuana, both of which are illicit drugs. This puts the newborn at risk for developing NAS2.

Choice C rationale

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a breathing disorder that affects newborns. RDS is more common in premature babies because their lungs aren’t fully developed. However, the newborn in the question was born at 38 weeks gestation, which is considered full term. Therefore, while RDS is a possible complication for newborns, it is not the most likely complication in this case based on the information provided.

Choice D rationale

Neonatal jaundice is a condition that can occur in newborns due to high levels of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during normal breakdown of red blood cells. In older babies and adults, the liver processes bilirubin, which then passes from the body through the stool and urine. However, a newborn’s still-developing liver may not be mature enough to remove this bilirubin. While neonatal jaundice is a common condition, there is no information in the question indicating that the newborn is at risk for developing this complication.

Choice A rationale

While the client’s daughter, who is the primary caregiver, may have a significant role in the client’s care, the decision to sign the informed consent ultimately lies with the client if they are deemed competent.

Choice B rationale

The client, who is alert and oriented to person, place, and time, and has advance directives, is the most appropriate person to sign the informed consent. As long as the client is competent and understands the information provided, they have the right to make their own medical decisions.

Choice C rationale

The client’s partner does not have the legal authority to sign the informed consent on behalf of the client unless the client is deemed incompetent and the partner is designated as the legal representative.

Choice D rationale

The client’s son, who has a durable power of attorney, can only sign the informed consent on behalf of the client if the client is deemed incompetent. Since the client is alert and oriented, they should be the one to sign the informed consent.