The extra amount of calories required during pregnancy is? (NORCET-2021)

NCL (MP) Nursing Officer - 2019

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: NCL (MP) Nursing Officer - 2019

Explanation

During pregnancy, an additional caloric intake is necessary to support fetal growth, development of the placenta, and an increased maternal metabolic rate.
The recommended extra amount is approximately 300-350 kcal per day, particularly from the second trimester onwards.
This value aligns with guidelines from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which recommends +350 kcal/day, and the Institute of Medicine, which recommends an average of +340 kcal/day in the second trimester and +452 kcal/day in the third.
Among the given choices, 300 kcal is the most accurate and commonly cited average.

Option B: This value is incorrect for pregnancy. It is closer to the additional requirement during the later stages of lactation (7-12 months), which is approximately +520 kcal/day according to ICMR guidelines.
Option C: This is the approximate additional caloric requirement for a mother during the first 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding (lactation), not during pregnancy. ICMR recommends +600 kcal/day for this period.
Option D: This is the recommended additional intake for the first 0-6 months of lactation according to ICMR 2020 guidelines, not for pregnancy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Nutritional requirements during pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in counseling pregnant women on appropriate weight gain and nutrition. Advising an extra 300-350 kcal/day helps prevent both inadequate and excessive weight gain.
It is important to translate this into practical food advice, such as adding a glass of milk, an egg, and a portion of fruit or whole grains to the daily diet.
Inadequate weight gain can lead to a low-birth-weight baby, while excessive gain increases risks of gestational diabetes, hypertension, and cesarean delivery.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on established nutritional guidelines.
First, identify the key terms in the question: 'extra amount of calories' and 'during pregnancy'.
Recall the standard recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for pregnancy. The most common value cited is around 300-350 kcal.
Carefully evaluate the given options. Note that the other options represent much higher caloric values.
Differentiate the needs of pregnancy from the higher requirements for lactation, as these are common distractors in nursing exams.
Select the option that most closely matches the established guideline for pregnancy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) pp. 168-170, 20-22

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