title: Preconception health counseling for women exposed to teratogens: the role of the nurse.
abstract: Women with unintended pregnancies who are exposed to teratogens constitute the highest risk group for fetal harm. Teratogen exposures come from substances, medications, chronic and acute diseases, and environmental factors. Nurses play a critical role in reducing unintended pregnancy and promoting preconception health. A greater understanding of the role of teratogens and strategies to improve history taking and help women prevent unintended pregnancy will improve nurses' ability to reduce teratogen exposure in women at risk.
authors.affiliation: Kaiser Permanente, Northern California, Oakland 94612, USA.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Postlethwaite
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013723:Teratogens
chemical_list: D013723:Teratogens