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A hospitalized pregnant patient requests that she be escorted outside to have a cigarette. What is the nurse's best response?

a - "Nicotine is a central nervous system depressant and can help you relax, putting less stress on the fetus."
b - "Have you considered nicotine replacement therapy while you're pregnant?"
c - "Because you're underweight for the gestational age of the baby, it's best that you only smoke between mealtimes."
d - "The nicotine can increase your heart rate, which should improve blood flow to your baby."

User Pixelstix
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Final answer:

The nurse's best response would be to suggest nicotine replacement therapy as a safer alternative to smoking.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's best response would be option B: "Have you considered nicotine replacement therapy while you're pregnant?"

Smoking during pregnancy is highly discouraged due to the numerous risks it poses to both the mother and the developing baby. Nicotine, found in cigarettes, is highly addictive and can have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system. It can also lead to premature birth, low-birth-weight infants, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Instead of allowing the patient to smoke, the nurse should encourage the use of nicotine replacement therapy as a safer alternative.

User Djork
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