Which of the following statements about Antenatal Care (ANC) and its objectives is incorrect?

Haryana CHO - 2022

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: Haryana CHO - 2022

Explanation

The statement that Antenatal Care (ANC) should start only after 12 weeks is incorrect.
Guidelines recommend initiating ANC as soon as pregnancy is suspected, and the first visit should occur within the first 12 weeks (first trimester).
Early registration allows for accurate pregnancy dating, baseline health assessment, early detection of complications, and timely initiation of folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects.
Delaying the first visit beyond 12 weeks misses a critical window for preventive care and health promotion.

Option B: This is a correct statement. A primary goal of ANC is to screen for and identify high-risk pregnancies to ensure timely management and referral, thereby reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Option C: This is a correct statement. In the context of integrated Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services, ANC visits provide an opportunity to assess the health and immunization status of other children under five who may accompany the mother.
Option D: This is a correct statement. Counseling on family planning, birth spacing, and postpartum contraception is a key component of comprehensive ANC, empowering women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Objectives and Timing of Antenatal Care (ANC) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A nurse's primary role includes educating expectant mothers on the importance of early and regular ANC visits to ensure a healthy pregnancy outcome.
Failure to register for ANC early can lead to undiagnosed conditions like anemia, hypertension, or gestational diabetes, increasing risks for both mother and baby.
What if a patient presents for her first ANC visit at 24 weeks? The nurse's priority would be to conduct a comprehensive assessment to catch up on missed screenings, including a detailed ultrasound for fetal anomalies, screening for gestational diabetes, and assessing for any complications that may have developed in the interim.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative lead-in keyword 'incorrect'. This means you are looking for the false statement among the options.
Recall the core principles and objectives of Antenatal Care (ANC). Think about when it should start and what it aims to achieve.
Evaluate each option against your knowledge. Option A suggests a delayed start to ANC.
Options B, C, and D describe key functions of ANC: risk assessment, integrated child health, and family planning education.
Based on standard guidelines, ANC should start as early as possible. Therefore, the statement suggesting it should start 'only after 12 weeks' is factually wrong.
Select the option that presents the false information as the correct answer to this 'incorrect' type of question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qiza-flvrBcHTG9D7a1hc1

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 17-19