CMA Nutrition & Wellness in Pregnancy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Hyperemesis gravidarum is defined as severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy resulting in:
- Mild nausea managed with dietary changes
- Weight loss of >5% pre-pregnancy weight, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance (Correct answer)
- Occasional vomiting in the first trimester only
- Heartburn and acid reflux throughout pregnancy
Correct answer: Weight loss of >5% pre-pregnancy weight, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe condition causing >5% body weight loss, dehydration, ketosis, and electrolyte disturbances requiring medical intervention.
Question 2: Safe physical activity recommendations during an uncomplicated pregnancy include:
- No exercise is safe during pregnancy
- 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (Correct answer)
- Only yoga — no cardiovascular activity
- Exercise only in the first trimester
Correct answer: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week
ACOG recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week during uncomplicated pregnancy, which benefits maternal and fetal health.
Question 3: Iron-rich foods that enhance iron absorption when consumed together include iron sources and:
- Dairy products
- Tea and coffee
- Vitamin C–rich foods (citrus, bell peppers, tomatoes) (Correct answer)
- Calcium supplements
Correct answer: Vitamin C–rich foods (citrus, bell peppers, tomatoes)
Vitamin C significantly enhances non-heme iron absorption from plant sources by converting ferric iron to the more absorbable ferrous form.
Question 4: The recommended daily protein intake during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy increases to approximately:
- 40 g/day
- 50 g/day
- 71 g/day (Correct answer)
- 90 g/day
Correct answer: 71 g/day
Pregnant women in the second and third trimesters need approximately 71 g of protein daily (increased from 46 g non-pregnant) to support fetal growth.
Question 5: Pica during pregnancy is defined as:
- Excessive craving for spicy foods
- A craving and consumption of non-food substances such as clay, ice, or starch (Correct answer)
- Aversion to all food during the first trimester
- Overeating of a single food group
Correct answer: A craving and consumption of non-food substances such as clay, ice, or starch
Pica is the persistent craving and eating of non-nutritive, non-food items and may indicate nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency.
Question 6: Vitamin D during pregnancy is critical for which fetal development process?
- Neural tube closure
- Red blood cell production
- Calcium absorption and fetal bone mineralization (Correct answer)
- Cardiac septum formation
Correct answer: Calcium absorption and fetal bone mineralization
Vitamin D facilitates intestinal calcium absorption and is essential for normal fetal bone and teeth mineralization.
CMA Nutrition & Wellness in Pregnancy 2
Hyperemesis gravidarum is defined as severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy resulting in: