A client who is 10 weeks pregnant attends her first prenatal appointment. She asks the nurse about dietary adjustments she should make during pregnancy. Which response is most appropriate?
Focus primarily on a high-protein diet to promote fetal development.
Avoid unpasteurized dairy and raw fish to prevent infections.
Substantially increase caloric intake to support fetal growth.
Increase folic acid intake through diet or supplementation.
The correct answer is appropriate because folic acid is critical for the prevention of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly, which occur in the early weeks of pregnancy. Pregnant clients are advised to consume foods rich in folic acid (e.g., leafy greens, fortified cereals) or take prenatal vitamins containing at least 400-800 micrograms of folic acid daily. While protein is essential for fetal growth, and avoiding unpasteurized dairy products and raw fish reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses, these are not as critical at this stage as folic acid intake. Calorie increases should be modest in the first trimester.
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