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 determining the viability of the fetus is an important aspect of prenatal care, it is not the primary purpose of an ultrasound in this scenario. The client’s report of feeling the baby moving suggests that the fetus is likely viable.

Choice B rationale

The primary purpose of the ultrasound in this scenario is to locate the placenta. Heavy, red vaginal bleeding at 38 weeks of gestation could indicate a complication such as placenta previa, where the placenta covers the cervix. An ultrasound can help confirm this diagnosis.

Choice C rationale

Measuring the biparietal diameter is a method used to estimate fetal weight and gestational age. However, in this scenario, the client is already known to be at 38 weeks of gestation, and the sudden onset of heavy, red vaginal bleeding is a more immediate concern.

Choice D rationale

Assessing fetal lung maturity is typically done when there is a risk of preterm delivery. In this scenario, the client is already at 38 weeks of gestation, which is considered full term. The immediate concern is the heavy, red vaginal bleeding.

Choice A rationale

A 38-year-old client who reports smoking one pack of cigarettes every day. Oral contraceptives are contraindicated in women who are over 35 years old and smoke. This is because the combination of oral contraceptives and smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. These risks are even higher in women over 35 years old who smoke. Therefore, this client should not receive oral contraceptives due to the increased risk of these serious side effects.

Choice B rationale

A 28-year-old client who has a history of pelvic inflammatory disease. While pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can lead to complications such as infertility and ectopic pregnancy, it is not a contraindication for the use of oral contraceptives. In fact, oral contraceptives can provide some protection against PID by causing changes in the cervix that make it more resistant to infection.

Choice C rationale

A 32-year-old client who has benign breast disease. Benign breast disease is not a contraindication for the use of oral contraceptives. While some studies have suggested a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in women who have used oral contraceptives, the risk appears to decrease over time once the contraceptives are stopped.

Choice D rationale

A 26-year-old client who has migraine headaches at the start of each menstrual cycle. While migraines can be a contraindication for the use of oral contraceptives, it generally applies to migraines with aura. Women who have migraines with aura have an increased risk of stroke when using oral contraceptives. However, for women who have migraines without aura, the benefits of using oral contraceptives usually outweigh the risks.