RN Exam Practice
Health Promotion and MaintenanceQuestion 834 of 2368

A nurse teaches a woman of childbearing age who is not planning a pregnancy. Why should the nurse recommend a daily folic acid supplement?

  1. Folic acid is only needed after a pregnancy is confirmed
  2. Folic acid replaces the need for an iron supplement in pregnancy
  3. Folate is needed early in pregnancy, and a pregnancy may be unplanned
  4. Folic acid is needed mainly during the third trimester
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Correct answer: Folate is needed early in pregnancy, and a pregnancy may be unplanned

Folate prevents neural tube defects, and it is needed in the first trimester. Women should take it in case of unintended pregnancy.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Healthy Diets: Dietary Recommendations During Pregnancy and Lactation. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Health Promotion and Maintenance"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026