Preconception Nutrition: Videos & Practice Problems

Which statement most accurately defines the difference between pregnancy, gestation, and conception and explains why clinicians count gestational age from the mother's last menstrual period (LMP)?

Which reason best explains why gestational age is often recorded from the first day of the LMP rather than the exact day of conception?

A patient’s LMP was March 1 and her baby was born on December 15 of the same year. Using days between dates and converting to weeks, calculate the gestational age in weeks (to one decimal) and state whether this birth was early term, full term (38–42 weeks), or late term. Show calculations.

Which one of the following is a direct reason why a healthy preconception body weight and regular physical activity improve chances of conception and pregnancy outcomes?

You are counseling two patients planning pregnancy: Patient A has BMI 22 and eats a varied diet with regular exercise; Patient B has BMI 34 and eats a high-processed-food diet with minimal activity. Using problem decomposition (identify modifiable factors), which of the following counseling priorities is most evidence-based to improve both couples’ chances of conception and pregnancy outcomes?

A male partner reports frequent alcohol use, smokes cigarettes, has BMI 29, and eats a low-fiber, high-fat diet. Using an analytical approach (identify causal links), which combination of changes is most likely to improve sperm quality and the couple’s chances of conception?

Why is folate intake recommended before conception rather than waiting until the pregnancy is confirmed?

At what stage is folate most critical for preventing neural tube defects and why? (Select the best conceptual answer.)

Which classification best matches each of the following items according to the three-category teratogen framework: recreational cocaine use, herbal dietary supplements with unclear regulation, and low-mercury salmon consumed in moderation?

A patient asks you to classify the following exposures during pregnancy and state the best action: unpasteurized soft cheese, NSAID use for chronic pain, and daily caffeinated coffee (one cup). Using analytical categorization, which is the best combined recommendation?

A pregnant patient who wants dietary omega-3s asks whether she should eat fish and which ones. Using a risk–benefit evaluation, which of these recommendations is best?

Which of the following fish is typically classified as high in mercury and should be avoided in pregnancy?

A 28-year-old woman of childbearing age is using isotretinoin (a vitamin A derivative) for acne. Evaluate the most appropriate preconception recommendation given the pharmacology and storage properties of vitamin A compounds.

Design a concise preconception plan for a couple where the female partner is underactive with poor iron intake and the male partner works nights, smokes, and consumes frequent alcohol. Which synthesized set of actions is most comprehensive and evidence-based?

Which of the following best defines spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) in obstetric terms and links teratogen exposure to early pregnancy risk?

Which of the following lists correctly matches items with the recommended action during preconception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding: (1) Alcohol, (2) Herbal supplements of unclear safety, (3) One cup of coffee daily?

A cohort study reports lower rates of preterm birth among pregnant people who ate two servings per week of low-mercury fatty fish (e.g., salmon). Evaluate the most plausible clinical interpretation and recommendation based on a risk-benefit analysis.

Why are vitamin A derivatives and very high intakes of preformed vitamin A discouraged in people planning pregnancy?

A patient who experienced a miscarriage at 10 weeks is concerned about whether a one-time exposure to a high dose of a recreational drug at 4 weeks post-LMP could be related. Using application of knowledge about timing and teratogens, which response is most accurate?

Which gestational age threshold is commonly used clinically to define a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)?

A patient’s LMP was June 1 and she delivered on February 1 of the following year. Calculate the gestational age in weeks and determine whether this birth is early term (<38 weeks), full term (38–42 weeks), or late term (>42 weeks). Show your calculations.

A patient asks whether alcohol is allowed during preconception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Evaluate and choose the best evidence-based recommendation and rationale.

A patient on high-dose preformed vitamin A supplements (retinol) wishes to conceive. Using analysis of toxicokinetics and teratogenic risk, which statement is most appropriate and why?

A public health campaign shows greater reduction in neural tube defects when folic acid supplementation begins at least one month before conception versus starting at 10 weeks gestation. How should a clinician evaluate and communicate the timing importance to patients?

Which of the following statements correctly reflects the role of male health in preconception counseling?

A clinician must counsel a couple where the male partner reports recreational drug use in the month before conception and the female had a presumed teratogen exposure at 5 weeks post-LMP. Applying risk assessment and patient communication strategies, which combined statement best balances accurate risk appraisal and counseling?

A woman discovers she is pregnant on September 20 and reports her LMP was July 1. Using calculation, determine how many completed weeks pregnant she is (to one decimal) and whether neural tube closure (which occurs around 6 weeks post-LMP) has already occurred. Show calculations.

Compare the teratogenic risk of preformed vitamin A (retinol) versus provitamin A (beta-carotene) and choose the most accurate counseling message for patients planning pregnancy.

Create a prioritized three-part preconception nutrition message for a public health pamphlet aimed at both partners that synthesizes the most important actions to increase conception chances and reduce early pregnancy nutrient deficiencies.