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NCLEX · General

A pregnant client asks which fish are safe to eat during pregnancy. What is the nurse's best response?

Correct answer

Most fish are safe and beneficial — fish provides DHA (omega-3 fatty acids important for fetal brain development); the FDA advises 2-3 servings per week of low-mercury fish (salmon, sardines, trout, tilapia, shrimp, catfish); avoid high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, bigeye tuna)

  1. A Avoid all fish during pregnancy
  2. B Most fish are safe and beneficial — fish provides DHA (omega-3 fatty acids important for fetal brain development); the FDA advises 2-3 servings per week of low-mercury fish (salmon, sardines, trout, tilapia, shrimp, catfish); avoid high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, bigeye tuna)
  3. C Only canned tuna is safe
  4. D All seafood is prohibited

Why this is the answer

FDA/EPA FISH ADVISORY FOR PREGNANCY: SAFE (2-3 servings/week): Salmon, sardines, trout, tilapia, catfish, pollock, canned light tuna, shrimp, crab, oysters, clams; LIMIT (1 serving/week): White/albacore tuna, snapper, lobster, mahi-mahi; AVOID: Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish from Gulf of Mexico, orange roughy, marlin, bigeye tuna (highest mercury); WHY FISH MATTERS: DHA (omega-3) is essential for fetal brain and eye development; avoiding all fish is more harmful than eating low-mercury fish; FDA and AHA both recommend fish consumption during pregnancy; mercury at high levels causes neurological harm to the developing fetus. The current evidence supports targeted guidance, not total avoidance.
Source: NCLEX-PN HP — Prenatal Care, Fish Safety

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