Question

A nurse is caring for a ct who is at 8 wks of gestation and has a BMI of 34. The ct asks about weight goals during her pregnancy. The nurse should advise the ct to do which of the following?

A. Aim for a weight loss of 5-10 pounds
B. Maintain the current weight throughout pregnancy
C. Limit weight gain to 15-25 pounds
D. Strive for weight gain of 30-40 pounds

Answer 1

The nurse should advise the patient to limit weight gain to 15-25 pounds for the entire pregnancy, which is consistent with the guidelines for pregnant individuals with a higher BMI.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question addresses the issue of weight management during pregnancy for a patient who is at 8 weeks of gestation with a BMI of 34. According to recommendations for weight gain during pregnancy, particularly for those who are overweight or obese, it is important not to aim for weight reduction but rather to regulate the weight gain. Given the patient’s high BMI, it would be most appropriate to limit the weight gain to avoid the potential for complications associated with excessive weight gain.

Considering that during the second and third trimesters, it is only necessary to consume an additional 300 calories per day for the development of the fetus and that most women gain approximately 0.45 kg (1 lb) per week, the nurse should advise the patient to limit weight gain to 15-25 pounds for the entire pregnancy. This falls within the guidelines provided for pregnant individuals with similar BMIs.