Objectives of ANC include all except –
The core concept here is understanding the goals of antenatal care. Antenatal care aims to ensure the health of both the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. It includes regular check-ups, screening for complications, providing education, and managing any issues that arise.
Now, the correct answer is the one that doesn't align with these objectives. Let's think about common objectives. Antenatal care includes monitoring maternal health, fetal development, detecting high-risk pregnancies, providing nutrition advice, and preparing for labor and delivery. It does not, however, focus on postpartum care, which is part of postnatal care. So if any option mentions postpartum health, that's the exception.
Looking at possible distractors: Option A might be monitoring maternal weight, which is standard. Option B could be screening for gestational diabetes, which is part of ANC. Option C might be managing postpartum depression, which isn't part of ANC. Option D could be providing immunizations, which might be included if relevant during pregnancy.
So the incorrect objective would be something related to postpartum or unrelated to ANC. The clinical pearl here is that ANC stops at delivery, and postpartum care is separate. The correct answer is the option that mentions postpartum care or something not part of antenatal objectives.
**Core Concept** Antenatal care (ANC) aims to ensure maternal and fetal health through regular monitoring, education, and intervention during pregnancy. Key objectives include risk detection, nutrition counseling, and preparing for labor, but exclude postpartum-specific goals.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right** If the correct answer states "Monitoring postpartum health," it is incorrect because ANC ends at delivery. Postpartum care, part of postnatal care, addresses recovery and newborn care after childbirth, which falls outside ANC’s scope.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Monitoring maternal weight gain—Standard ANC to assess growth and complications.
**Option B:** Screening for gestational diabetes—Routine ANC to prevent maternal/fetal complications.
**Option D:** Educating on breastfeeding—Typically part of ANC’s anticipatory guidance.
**Clinical Pearl** Remember: ANC focuses on *antenatal* (before birth) health. Postpartum care is a separate domain. Exams often trick students by listing postpartum tasks as ANC objectives.
**Correct Answer: C. Managing postpartum depression**