Assessment of a woman's nutritional status includes a diet history, medication regimen, physical exam, and relevant laboratory tests. A maternity nurse making such an assessment should be aware that:

Question

1. oral contraceptive use may interfere with the absorption of iron.
2. illnesses that created nutritional deficits such as PKU may require nutritional care before conception.
3. the woman's socioeconomic status and educational level are not relevant to her examination; they belong to the social worker, if to anybody.
4. the only nutrition-related laboratory testing needed by most pregnant women is for diabetes.

Answer 1

2
1. Incorrect. Oral contraceptive use may interfere with the absorption of folic acid. Iron de-ficiency can appear if an IUD placement resulted in blood loss.
2. Correct. A registered dietitian can help with therapeutic diets.
3. Incorrect. A woman's finances impact her access to good nutrition; her education (or lack of) can influence the nurse's teaching decisions.
4. Incorrect. The nutrition-related lab testing usually needed is a screen for anemia.