Felicity is a very busy 29-year-old woman in a professional career. She has diabetes mellitus and is also pregnant for the first time. Explain the potential teratogenic effect of folic acid deficiency on the developing fetus. What other risk factor is not
Because of her busy schedule, it was over 3 weeks after missing her menstrual cycle when she visited her family doctor to have the pregnancy confirmed. Felicity became very concerned when her physician asked if she had been taking folic acid. It was all Felicity could do to remember to manage her insulin levels, and taking folic acid supplements was something she had not even considered. Her doctor told her to take 600 ?g of folic acid daily and advised Felicity to return later for maternal serum marker testing.
Explain the potential teratogenic effect of folic acid deficiency on the developing fetus. What other risk factor is noteworthy in Felicity's case?
What is the benefit of maternal serum marker testing? What other test would be particularly useful to monitor the development of Felicity's baby in this situation?
When is the fetus most vulnerable to the effects of teratogens and why?
Folic acid deficiency is implicated in neural tube defects such as spina bifida, anencephaly, and encephalocele. Diabetes mellitus in the mother is also a risk factor for neural tube defects in the developing fetus.
Maternal serum marker testing measures AFP in the maternal blood. AFP is produced by the fetus and circulates freely when fetal membranes and blood vessels are exposed. It is therefore elevated with neural tube and ventral wall defects. Ultrasound is another useful test because it is able to visually detect fetal cranial and spinal defects in utero.
Teratogens produce their most detrimental effects on the fetus during the period of organogenesis. The most rapid time of organ development occurs from day 15 to day 60 after conception
You might also like to view...
A patient wants to try an oral soy product to relieve perimenopausal symptoms. The nurse will assess the patient's medication history for which potential drug interaction?
a. Thyroid replacement therapy b. Oral anticoagulant therapy c. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs d. Beta blockers
A community health nurse runs a clinic that provides health screening mainly to Mexican American and Native American clients. The nurse wants to have a class on smoking cessation for interested adults of this group
In order to adjust to their time orientation, the nurse should: 1. Make sure that the classes are held at specific times. 2. Begin classes when a group of clients are gathered. 3. Mail letters ahead of time to make sure clients are informed about the upcoming class. 4. Make posters and place them in areas of the community frequented by these groups.
When checking for proper blood pressure cuff size, which guideline is correct?
a. The standard cuff size is appropriate for all sizes. b. The length of the rubber bladder should equal 80% of the arm circumference. c. The width of the rubber bladder should equal 80% of the arm circumference. d. The width of the rubber bladder should equal 40% of the arm circumference.
Strategies to help enhance the quality of one's sleep are listed below. Which is not necessarily correct?
a. Reserve your bed for sleeping only. b. It is okay to use alcohol to fall asleep occasionally. c. Make sleep a priority. d. Establish a routine before bed that is repeated nightly.