A newborn is diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome. A. The nurse is teaching this mother what to expect when she goes home with her baby. B. The nurse determines the mother needs further instruction when she makes which statement?

When she ascertain that her newborn is suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome.

Explanation:

Drinking alcohol during her pregnancy resulted to the newborn's birth defects and developmental disabilities. In fact, alcohol (beer, wine, or hard liquor) is the leading cause of preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States.

Babies exposed to alcohol in the womb can develop fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). These disorders include a wide range of physical, behavioral, and learning problems. The most severe type of FASD is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). It is caused by heavy drinking during pregnancy.

There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. Any amount of alcohol can harm a developing fetus and increase the risk of miscarriage.

Alcohol easily passes through the placenta, the organ that nourishes a baby during pregnancy. Alcohol exposure during the first trimester - perhaps before a woman even knows she is pregnant - can cause major birth defects. Later in the pregnancy, drinking alcohol can cause poor growth and brain damage that could lead to learning and behavioral problems.

These problems can be prevented by not drinking any alcohol during pregnancy. Do not drink if you are trying to get pregnant or think you may be pregnant.