Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep

Answer: B - ACOG guidelines recommend lead testing for pregnant women who have pica. ACOG does not recommend testing all pregnant women for lead, nor does it recommend testing pregnant women with a history of anemia. Lead exposure in pregnant women can cause serious health problems for both the mother and the fetus, including:

• Reduced IQ and developmental delays in the fetus
• Premature birth and low birth weight
• Miscarriage and stillbirth
• Behavioral and learning problems in children

Lead can also harm the mother's health by affecting her nervous system, blood cells, and reproductive system.