Question

The LPN reinforces prenatal dietary education at the prenatal outpatient clinic. Which should the LPN include in the instruction?

a) Increased caffeine intake
b) High intake of raw seafood
c) Adequate intake of folic acid
d) Low intake of fruits and vegetables

Answer 1

The LPN should include the necessity of adequate folic acid intake in prenatal dietary education because it significantly reduces the risk of neurological defects in the developing fetus, such as spina bifida.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) should emphasize the importance of an adequate intake of folic acid as a key part of prenatal dietary education. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommends that all women who might become pregnant consume at least 400 µg/day of folate from supplements or fortified foods. This recommendation is essential because sufficient folic acid intake during the early stages of pregnancy is critical in reducing the risk of neurological defects, such as spina bifida, where the neural tube fails to close properly. Folate is a B vitamin that is crucial for the healthy development of the neural tube, and deficiency can lead to severe birth defects including anencephaly, characterized by the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp.