NCLEX RN Exam Questions Practice Question
At her first prenatal visit, a 21-year-old woman who is gravida 2, para 0, ab 1, is currently at 32 weeks' gestation and has a history of drug abuse, smoking, and occasional ethyl alcohol use. Fetal ultrasound tests indicate poor fetal growth. The most likely reason for the infant's intrauterine growth retardation is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Compounds in cigarettes and some illicit drugs cause maternal vasoconstriction and a subsequent reduction in O2 availability for the fetus, leading to intrauterine growth retardation. Alcohol consumption also decreases birth weight.
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