The nurse is planning a series of classes for young pregnant women. Which of the following discussion topics should the nurse include in a class related to nutrition during pregnancy?
The nurse is planning a series of classes for young pregnant women. Which of the following discussion topics should the nurse include in a class related to nutrition during pregnancy?
A. The need to increase caloric intake by about 350 calories during the second trimester of gestation
[49%]
B. The need to increase caloric intake by about 450 calories during the second trimester of gestation
[25%]
C. The need to increase caloric intake by about 350 calories during the third trimester of gestation
[15%]
D. The need to increase caloric intake by about 400 calories during the third trimester of gestation
[11%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Maternal & Newborn Health
Lesson
Antepartum
Client Need
Test Plan
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Related Topic
Ante/Intra/Postpartum and Newborn Care
Item Type
Item Type
Application
Explanation
Choice A is correct. Young pregnant women should be taught that most women (carrying one fetus) with a healthy pre-pregnancy weight require an additional 350 extra calories per day beginning in the second trimester of pregnancy (i.e., weeks 13 to 26). Similarly, an increase of approximately 450 calories per day is indicated during the third trimester (i.e., after 26 weeks) and continuing throughout the pregnancy (following birth, nutritional requirements vary based on whether the client is breastfeeding).
Choice B is incorrect. Although there is a need to increase the caloric intake during the second trimester of gestation, the recommended increase for a woman with a healthy pre-pregnancy weight is for an additional 350 extra calories per day beginning in the second trimester of pregnancy (i.e., weeks 13 to 26), not an additional 450 calories per day. Consuming more than recommended calories and gaining excess weight may put the client at risk for gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.
Choice C is incorrect. Although increasing the daily caloric intake by approximately 350 calories per day seems sufficient, waiting until the beginning of the third trimester is not recommended, as the recommended dietary caloric increase should have occurred at the beginning of the second, not the third trimester.
Choice D is incorrect. Waiting until the beginning of the third trimester to increase caloric intake is not recommended. Additionally, caloric intake should be increased by additional 350 calories per day starting the second trimester, not 400 calories per day.
Learning Objective
Recognize the need to increase caloric intake by about 350 calories beginning the second trimester of gestation.
Related Videos
2 Key Topics
Nutritional in Pregnancy
28.2 Maternal Nutrition & Safety
Additional Info
- Weight gain during pregnancy depends on the client's pre-pregnancy health and body mass index (BMI).
- Excess weight during pregnancy is associated with several pregnancy and childbirth complications, including high blood pressure, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes.
- During the second trimester, women carrying twins should consume about 600 extra calories daily. Women carrying triplets should consume 900 additional calories daily.
