Constipation during pregnancy can be caused by all of the following factors EXCEPT?

MP CHO - 2022

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: MP CHO - 2022

Explanation

Folic acid, or Vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for fetal development, particularly for preventing neural tube defects.
Unlike iron supplements or opioids, folic acid does not have a physiological mechanism that slows gastrointestinal motility or hardens stool.
It is a standard and well-tolerated component of prenatal vitamins and is not recognized as a cause of constipation.

Option A: Dehydration is a direct cause of constipation. When the body is dehydrated, it compensates by absorbing more water from the colon, resulting in harder, drier stools that are difficult to pass.
Option B: Iron supplements, especially ferrous sulfate, are a very common and well-known cause of constipation. They are frequently prescribed during pregnancy to prevent or treat anemia.
Option D: Opioid analgesics (painkillers) are known to cause constipation by decreasing the motility of the gut (peristalsis), which slows the transit of stool and allows more water to be absorbed.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Etiology of constipation during pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must proactively educate pregnant patients about the risk of constipation, especially when they are prescribed iron supplements or opioid medications.
Patient teaching should include non-pharmacological strategies like increasing dietary fiber, fluid intake, and physical activity as the first line of management.
What if? If a pregnant patient on iron supplements reports severe constipation and abdominal pain, the nurse's priority is to assess for signs of fecal impaction and notify the healthcare provider. A change in iron formulation or the addition of a pregnancy-safe stool softener may be required.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question by spotting the keyword 'EXCEPT'. This means you are looking for the option that is NOT a cause of constipation.
Analyze the context: the patient is pregnant. Consider physiological changes and common medications/supplements used during pregnancy.
Evaluate each option: Dehydration, Iron supplements, and Opioid analgesia are all well-known causes of constipation in the general population and specifically in pregnant women.
Consider Folic acid supplements. Recall that this is a standard prenatal vitamin for preventing birth defects and is not typically associated with gastrointestinal side effects like constipation.
Conclude that Folic acid is the correct exception.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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