Most women with uncomplicated pregnancies can use the nurse as their primary source for nutritional information

Question

The nurse or midwife should refer a patient to a registered di-etitian for in-depth nutritional counseling when which of the following exist(s)? (Choose all that apply.) a. Preexisting or gestational illness such as diabetes
b. Ethnic or cultural food patterns
c. Obesity
d. Vegetarian diets

Answer 1

A, B, C, D

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Correct The nurse should be especially aware that conditions such as diabetes can require in-depth dietary planning and evaluation. To prevent issues with hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and an increased risk for perinatal mor-bidity and mortality, this patient would benefit from a referral to a dieti-tian. Consultation with a dietitian may ensure that cultural food beliefs are congruent with modern knowledge of fetal development and that adjust-ments can be made to ensure that all nutritional needs will be met. The obese pregnant patient may be under the misapprehension that because of her excess weight that little or no weight gain is necessary. According to the Institute of Medicine, a patient with a body mass index in the obese range should gain at least 7 kg to ensure a healthy outcome. This patient may well require in-depth counseling on optimum food choices. The ve-getarian patient needs to have her dietary intake carefully assessed to en-sure that the optimum combination of amino acids and protein intake is achieved. Very strict vegetarians (vegans) who consume only plant prod-ucts may also require vitamin B and mineral supplementation.
Incor-rect None of the above.