A client planning pregnancy asks how to reduce the risk of n… | MyMerci
Health Promotion/Disease PreventionHPM
Question
A client planning pregnancy asks how to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Which teaching is most appropriate?
1Avoid all carbohydrates during the first trimester.
2Begin prenatal care only after fetal movement is felt.
3Take folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy as recommended.✓ Correct answer
4Stop all prescribed medications without discussing them.
Explanation
Folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Waiting until fetal movement is too late for early neural tube development. Medication changes should be discussed with a provider.
In-depth explanation
Clinical Judgment Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits Preconception folic acid teaching.
Memory Tip Match the strongest cue cluster to the safest nursing judgment.
KR vs US NCLEX items reward cue-based priority thinking rather than isolated recall.
Clinical scenario
Clinical Practice Guide For Preconception folic acid teaching, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.
Caution Do not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.
Key concepts
Folic Acid — A B vitamin important for neural tube development.
Neural Tube Defect — A congenital defect involving early development of the brain or spinal cord.
Preconception Care — Health care and counseling before pregnancy to reduce risks.