Question

The nurse is teaching a pregnant woman with a prepregnancy body mass index of 26 about recommended weight gain. The nurse determines that the teaching was successful when the woman states that she should gain no more than which amount during pregnancy?

A) 35 to 40 pounds
B) 25 to 35 pounds
C) 28 to 40 pounds
D) 15 to 25 pounds"

Answer 1

Option D). The correct recommended weight gain for a pregnant woman with a prepregnancy BMI of 26 is 15 to 25 pounds. This falls within the healthy range to support fetal growth without the risk of complications associated with excessive weight gain.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the woman comprehended that the recommended weight gain during pregnancy is 15 to 25 pounds (D), given her pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) of 26, which puts her in the overweight category, the instruction was successful. This recommendation considers the need to gain enough weight to support fetal development, but not too much, as this could cause complications for the mother and the child. It is consistent with the knowledge that a pregnant woman should consume an extra 300 calories per day and should anticipate gaining roughly 0.45 kg (1 lb) per week during the second and third trimesters of her pregnancy.

Gaining the appropriate amount of weight is essential for maintaining the developing fetus, the enlarged uterus, the placenta, the amniotic fluid, the increased blood volume, and the fat storage required for nursing. On the other hand, babies born with larger birth weights may be more susceptible to obesity and diabetes in the future due to excessive weight gain.