Final answer:
The nurse should recommend that the client consume oranges and spinach, as both are rich in folic acid, which is essential for preventing birth defects and ensuring healthy fetal development. Women who may become pregnant are advised to ensure a minimum intake of 400 µg/day of folate to reduce the risk of neurological defects in pregnancies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should suggest the prenatal client consume foods rich in folic acid to address the nursing diagnosis of altered nutrition related to poor folic acid intake. Among the provided options, oranges and spinach are excellent choices for increasing folic acid consumption. Oranges are a good source of vitamin C, which can help with the absorption of folic acid, and spinach is a leafy green vegetable known to have high levels of this essential vitamin.
The importance of consuming at least 400 µg/day of folate from supplements or fortified foods for women who might become pregnant is emphasized by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine. This is because folate is vital to reduce the risk of birth defects, especially neural tube defects, and pregnancies require adequate folic acid to support the correct neurological development of the fetus.
Proper nutritional intake during pregnancy, including essential vitamins like folic acid, ensures healthy fetal development while aiding in the prevention of conditions such as anemia in the mother. Consumption of a variety of nutritious foods rich in vitamins and minerals is crucial for the mother's health and the development of a healthy baby.