The nurse is doing preconception counseling with a 28-year-old woman with no prior pregnancies. Which statement made by the patient indicates to the nurse that the patient has understood the teaching?

Question

1. "I can continue to drink alcohol until I am diagnosed as pregnant."
2. "I need to stop drinking alcohol completely when I start trying to get pregnant."
3. "A beer once a week will not damage the fetus."
4. "I can drink alcohol while breastfeeding, since it doesn't pass into breast milk."

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: Women should discontinue drinking alcohol when they start to attempt pregnancy.
Rationale 2: Women should discontinue drinking alcohol when they start to attempt pregnancy.
Rationale 3: It is not known how much alcohol will cause fetal damage; therefore, alcohol during pregnancy is contraindicated.
Rationale 4: Alcohol passes readily into breast milk; therefore, it should be avoided, or the milk should be pumped and dumped after alcohol consumption.