1) The nurse is counseling a client with a body mass index (BMI) of 22 who is concerned about additional weight gain during pregnancy. Which approach should the nurse take?

Question

a. "At your current weight you should expect to see a weight gain less than 20 lbs. during your pregnancy."
b. "At your current weight you should expect to see a weight gain 15—25 lbs. during your pregnancy."
c. "At your current weight you should expect to see a weight gain 28—40 lbs. during your pregnancy."
d. "At your current weight you should expect to see a weight gain 25—35 lbs. during your pregnancy."

Answer 1

d. "At your current weight you should expect to see a weight gain 25—35 lbs. during your pregnancy."

It is recommended that a client with a normal body mass index (BMI) gain between 25—35 lbs. during pregnancy. Inadequate maternal weight gain is a health risk, often associated with small-for-gestational age, or low-birth-weight infant. Therefore it is important to counsel clients on desired weight gain in relation to their pre-pregnancy BMI in order to assure essential fetal growth and appropriate infant birth weight. It is recommended that underweight clients (BMI less than 19.8) gain 28-40 lbs., whereas clients that are overweight (BMI 26-29) gain 15 - 25 lbs.