A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a group of clients about taking recommended folic acid supplements prior to conception and throughout pregnancy as primary prevention. Which of the following conditions can occur in the neonate as the result of folic acid deficiency?

A. Promote bonding by encouraging the guardians to formula feed their newborn: Bonding occurs through close physical contact, responsiveness, and nurturing care, regardless of the feeding method. Bonding is important regardless of feeding method, but feeding choice should be based on the guardians’ preference, not directed solely by the nurse. Formula feeding is not necessary for promoting bonding.

B. Encourage guardians to allow relatives to provide the majority of the care for their newborn: Guardians should be encouraged to provide the majority of the newborn's care themselves to strengthen attachment and build confidence in their parenting abilities.

C. Ensure guardians know that criticism of newborn care is acceptable: Criticism can undermine the guardians' confidence and create stress. Support and positive reinforcement are important for helping new parents feel secure in their roles.

D. Inform guardians how to respond to their newborn's cues: Teaching guardians how to recognize and respond to their newborn's cues, such as hunger, discomfort, or need for interaction, promotes bonding, supports emotional development, and strengthens the parent-newborn relationship.

• Placenta previa: Placenta previa occurs later in pregnancy and is characterized by painless bright red vaginal bleeding without abdominal tenderness. The client is only 6 weeks pregnant, and placenta previa is not a concern this early in gestation.
• abruptio placentae: Abruptio placentae involves painful bleeding and a rigid uterus, usually occurring after 20 weeks' gestation. The client’s gestational age and presenting symptoms are more consistent with an early pregnancy complication rather than abruptio placentae.
• ectopic pregnancy: This occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. The client’s missed period, positive pregnancy test, right lower quadrant tenderness, and dark red vaginal spotting are classic signs of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening emergency if rupture occurs, requiring prompt identification and management.
• acute asthma attack: While the client has a history of asthma and slight inspiratory wheezing, her respiratory status is stable with normal oxygen saturation and no signs of acute respiratory distress. Therefore, an asthma attack is not the primary concern.
• pyelonephritis: Pyelonephritis typically presents with fever, chills, flank pain, and urinary symptoms. The client’s presentation of right lower quadrant tenderness and vaginal spotting does not align with the typical findings of pyelonephritis.
• respiratory rate: The client’s respiratory rate is normal at 16/min, indicating stable respiratory function. Respiratory rate does not explain the primary concern related to abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding.
• history of regular menstrual period: While this supports that the client is late in her cycle, it is not the most direct or critical finding pointing toward the diagnosis. The focus should be on current clinical signs like abdominal tenderness.
• temperature: The client’s temperature is within normal range at 37.3°C (99.1°F), making infection less likely and not the primary concern related to her current symptoms.
• right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness: Localized tenderness in the right lower quadrant combined with vaginal spotting strongly suggests an ectopic pregnancy. This is a hallmark finding that supports the diagnosis as the growing embryo can cause irritation, stretching, or rupture of the fallopian tube.
• hyperactive bowel sounds: Hyperactive bowel sounds are nonspecific and can occur due to anxiety, mild gastrointestinal upset, or pain, but they are not diagnostic for ectopic pregnancy. The abdominal tenderness is the more significant finding.