Question

A patient who has just learned she is pregnant has stopped using a prescription medication that she takes for asthma because she does not want to harm her baby. What will the nurse tell her?

1) That asthma medications will not affect the fetus
2) That her baby's health is dependent on hers
3) To avoid taking medications during her pregnancy
4) To resume the medication in her second trimester

Answer 1

A nurse should advise a pregnant woman to discuss medication safety with her health care provider, highlighting that her baby's well-being depends on her own health. Proper management of her asthma is crucial during pregnancy, and her healthcare provider can help determine the safest treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to the health and safety of both the pregnant woman and her unborn baby in the scenario where the woman has stopped using her prescription asthma medication over concerns about fetal harm. It is essential for expecting mothers to consult their health care providers before stopping or starting any medication because certain medications are necessary for the mother's health and, by extension, the baby's well-being.

While some medications may indeed pose a risk to the developing fetus, many are considered safe and are crucial for managing health conditions during pregnancy. Stopping asthma treatment, for example, can lead to uncontrolled asthma which poses a risk to both the mother and the fetus. Poorly controlled asthma can reduce oxygen delivery to the fetus, potentially leading to complications.

Therefore, the appropriate response from the nurse should be to inform the patient that "her baby's health is dependent on hers", indicating the importance of managing her asthma for both her own health and the health of the baby. Moreover, the nurse should encourage her to speak with her doctor about the safety of her asthma medications during pregnancy and to explore the best possible treatment options that are safe for her and the fetus.