During a vaginal exam, the nurse notes that the lower uterine segment is softened. The nurse documents this finding as:

Choice A: Vitamin E requirements do not decrease during pregnancy due to the increase in body fat. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant and protects cell membranes from oxidative damage. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin E during pregnancy is 15 mg/day, which is the same as for non-pregnant women.

Choice B: Prenatal vitamins will meet your need for increased folic acid during pregnancy. Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. Folic acid deficiency can cause neural tube defects in the fetus, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. The RDA for folic acid during pregnancy is 600 mcg/day, which can be obtained from prenatal vitamins and fortified foods.

Choice C: You will not need to double your intake of protein during pregnancy. Protein is a macronutrient that provides amino acids for tissue growth and repair. The RDA for protein during pregnancy is 1.1 g/kg/day, which is only slightly higher than for non-pregnant women (0.8 g/kg/day).

Choice D: You will not need to increase your intake of calcium during pregnancy. Calcium is a mineral that is important for bone health and muscle contraction. Calcium absorption and retention are enhanced during pregnancy, so there is no need to increase the intake above the RDA of 1000 mg/day for women aged 19 to 50 years.

Choice A Reason: Preeclampsia is a condition in which a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure and proteinuria (protein in the urine). It can lead to serious complications such as eclampsia, which is seizures caused by preeclampsia, and HELLP syndrome, which is hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. The main risk factor for preeclampsia is chronic hypertension, which means high blood pressure before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of gestation. Preeclampsia can be detected by measuring the blood pressure and urine protein level. Uric acid is not a reliable indicator of preeclampsia.

Choice B Reason: Gestational diabetes is the correct answer as explained above.

Choice C Reason: Eclampsia is a severe complication of preeclampsia that causes seizures and can be fatal for both the mother and the baby. It usually occurs after 20 weeks of gestation or during labor or postpartum. The main risk factor for eclampsia is preeclampsia, which means high blood pressure and proteinuria during pregnancy. Eclampsia can be prevented by treating preeclampsia with antihypertensive drugs and magnesium sulfate, which is a medication that prevents seizures. Magnesium sulfate can also lower the serum magnesium level, which is the amount of magnesium in the blood. However, magnesium level is not a diagnostic criterion for eclampsia.

Choice D Reason: Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta covers part or all of the opening of the cervix. It can cause bleeding during pregnancy or delivery and can endanger both the mother and the baby. The main risk factor for placenta previa is previous cesarean section or other uterine surgery, which can cause scarring or damage to the uterine wall. Placenta previa can be detected by ultrasound, which is an imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the uterus and placenta. Hemoglobin is not a relevant factor for placenta previa. Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. It can cause complications for both the mother and the baby, such as macrosomia, hypoglycemia, and birth trauma. The main risk factor for gestational diabetes is glucose intolerance, which means the body cannot use glucose effectively. Glucose intolerance can be detected by measuring the serum glucose level, which is the amount of glucose in the blood.