A nurse is providing nutritional advice to a woman considering pregnancy.
What information should the nurse include to minimize the risk of having a newborn with a neural tube defect?

Choice A rationale

While seeing a counselor could be beneficial for some women experiencing doubts and second thoughts about their pregnancy, it is not necessarily the first or only option. Many women experience a range of emotions during pregnancy, and these feelings are often temporary.

Choice B rationale

Telling a woman not to worry and that she will be fine once the baby is born may minimize her feelings and concerns. It’s important to validate her feelings and provide support.

Choice C rationale

While talking to a trusted family member or friend can be helpful, it’s not the only option. Some women may not feel comfortable discussing their feelings with family members.

Choice D rationale

Ambivalent feelings are quite common for women early in pregnancy. It’s a time of significant change, and it’s normal to have mixed feelings about it. It can be helpful to discuss these feelings with a healthcare provider, who can provide reassurance and resources.

Choice A rationale

Instructing the client to avoid alcohol for 72 hr after treatment is a common instruction given when a client is prescribed certain medications, such as metronidazole, due to the potential for a disulfiram-like reaction. However, this choice does not directly address the client’s symptoms of vaginal itching and discharge.

Choice B rationale

The client’s symptoms are indicative of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), a common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age. Metronidazole is a medication commonly used to treat this infection. A single dose of 2 g orally is a typical treatment regimen.

Choice C rationale

An oatmeal sitz bath can help soothe irritated skin and reduce inflammation, but it does not treat the underlying cause of the client’s symptoms.

Choice D rationale

Douching is generally not recommended as it can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina and can lead to further complications.

Choice E rationale

Recommending the client’s partner receive treatment is important in cases of sexually transmitted infections to prevent reinfection. However, this choice does not directly address the client’s immediate need for treatment.