Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 89%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A woman gives birth to a small infant with a malformed skull. The infant grows abnormally slowly and shows signs of substantial cognitive and intellectual deficits. The child also has facial abnormalities including a short nose and thin lip that become more striking as it develops.What might you expect to find in the mother's pregnancy history?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Chronic alcohol use. This is because chronic alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Alcohol crosses the placenta and affects the developing fetus, leading to physical, behavioral, and cognitive abnormalities. Active herpes simplex infection (A) is not typically included in a mother's pregnancy history unless there are specific concerns. Chronic cocaine use (B) can also have harmful effects on the fetus, but it is less common than alcohol use. Folic acid deficiency (C) is an important consideration during pregnancy but is not typically included in the mother's pregnancy history unless it has been identified as a specific issue.