NLE Antepartum, Intrapartum & Postpartum Care — Prenatal Care & Maternal NutritionConcept Map
Concept maps are proven memory anchors for high-volume exams like NLE. This page maps out the key ideas of Prenatal Care & Maternal Nutrition, the sub-topics that appear on NLE Antepartum, Intrapartum & Postpartum Care papers, and the connections Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) — Board of Nursing frequently tests in mixed-concept questions.
Exam context
For the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) — Board of Nursing tests Antepartum, Intrapartum & Postpartum Care under a "Core" label, with Prenatal Care & Maternal Nutrition in the 2nd slot across 4 chapters. NLE candidates must clear the 75% weighted average with no sub-test below 60% cut on the 2026 paper, which draws about 50 Antepartum, Intrapartum & Postpartum Care questions. Date to watch: Bi-annual.
Prenatal Care & Maternal Nutrition - Concept Map
Central Concept
Quality Prenatal (Antenatal) Care and Maternal Nutrition for Safe Pregnancy Outcomes
Related Concepts
Concept
Goals and Schedule of Antenatal Care
Sub Concepts
- DOH minimum 4 ANC visits
- WHO 2016 model: 8 contacts
- Visit frequency schedule (every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks 28-36 weeks, weekly after 36 weeks)
- First (booking) visit comprehensive assessment
- Every-visit ongoing assessments
- High-risk pregnancy monitoring
Relationship To Central
Foundational framework for organizing prenatal interventions
Concept
First (Booking) Visit Assessment
Sub Concepts
- Full menstrual history
- GTPAL obstetric history
- Medical and family history
- Social risk screening
- EDD calculation by Naegele's rule
- Complete physical examination
- Pelvic examination
- Baseline laboratory work (blood type, Rh, CBC, glucose, urinalysis, VDRL, HIV, HBsAg)
- Rh-negative identification and anti-D planning
Relationship To Central
Comprehensive baseline data collection for risk stratification
Concept
Every-Visit Ongoing Assessments
Sub Concepts
- Weight measurement and trend analysis
- Blood pressure monitoring (screen for hypertension)
- Urine dipstick (protein and glucose detection)
- Fundal height measurement and tracking
- Fetal heart rate auscultation (normal 110-160 bpm)
- Leopold's manoeuvres for fetal position
- Fetal movement counts (kick counts)
- Danger signs review and reinforcement
Relationship To Central
Continuous monitoring for maternal-fetal well-being and early problem detection
Concept
Tetanus Immunisation (Td Schedule)
Sub Concepts
- Td1: first visit, early pregnancy
- Td2: ≥4 weeks after Td1, ≥2 weeks before delivery (protects newborn)
- Td3: ≥6 months after Td2
- Td4: ≥1 year after Td3
- Td5: ≥1 year after Td4 (lifetime protection)
- Child Protected at Birth (CPAB) concept
- Administration: 0.5 mL IM (deltoid muscle)
- Duration of neonatal protection
Relationship To Central
Prevention of maternal and neonatal tetanus through immunisation
Concept
Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation
Sub Concepts
- Recommended dose: 60 mg elemental iron + 400 mcg folic acid daily
- Timing: throughout pregnancy and postpartum
- Iron functions: prevention and treatment of anaemia
- Folic acid functions: neural tube defect prevention, RBC formation
- Pre-conception folic acid initiation
- Absorption enhancement (vitamin C, empty stomach)
- Absorption inhibitors (milk, tea, coffee, antacids)
- Expected side effects (dark/black stools, constipation)
- Management of GI side effects
- Adherence counselling and troubleshooting
Relationship To Central
Prevention of anaemia and neural tube defects
Concept
Other Essential Micronutrient Supplements
Sub Concepts
- Calcium supplementation (fetal skeleton development, pre-eclampsia reduction)
- Iodine (fetal brain development, iodised salt via ASIN Law RA 8172)
- Vitamin A (needed for development; avoid megadoses and isotretinoin as teratogenic)
- Dietary sources versus supplementation
- Safe supplementation levels
Relationship To Central
Support for fetal development and maternal health
Concept
Maternal Weight Gain and Nutritional Requirements
Sub Concepts
- Recommended total weight gain by pre-pregnancy BMI (IOM guidance)
- Underweight: 12.5-18 kg
- Normal weight: 11.5-16 kg
- Overweight: 7-11.5 kg
- Obese: 5-9 kg
- Pattern of gain (minimal 1st trimester, ~0.4 kg/week 2nd-3rd trimester)
- Excessive gain with oedema as pre-eclampsia indicator
- Extra energy needs: +340 kcal 2nd trimester, +450 kcal 3rd trimester
- Protein requirements: +25 g/day for fetal and placental growth
- Carbohydrate adequacy for protein sparing and ketosis prevention
Relationship To Central
Optimize fetal growth and maternal-fetal health
Concept
Key Micronutrients and Food Sources
Sub Concepts
- Iron sources (meat, fish, dark leafy greens, malunggay, dried beans)
- Folate sources (dark green vegetables, legumes, fortified grains, citrus)
- Calcium sources (milk, small fish with bones, dilis, tofu, dark greens)
- Iodine sources (iodised salt, seafood)
- Vitamin C sources (citrus, guava, tomatoes) for iron absorption
- Malunggay as iron and vitamin-rich food supporting lactation
- Locally available, affordable, culturally acceptable foods
- Dried beans and monggo as protein and legume sources
Relationship To Central
Evidence-based nutritional counselling using culturally appropriate Filipino foods
Concept
Foods and Substances to Limit or Avoid
Sub Concepts
- Alcohol: no safe amount (fetal alcohol syndrome risk)
- Smoking and secondhand smoke (low birth weight, prematurity)
- Caffeine: limit to ≤200 mg/day (~1-2 cups coffee)
- High-mercury fish (methylmercury toxicity)
- Raw or undercooked meat, fish, and eggs (Listeria, Toxoplasma)
- Unpasteurised dairy products (Listeria risk)
- Unapproved medications, herbal products, supplements
Relationship To Central
Prevention of teratogenic and infectious risks to fetus
Concept
Management of Common Pregnancy-Related Nutrition Issues
Sub Concepts
- Nausea management (small frequent meals, dry crackers, odour avoidance)
- Constipation management (fibre, fluids, activity; worsened by iron)
- Pica assessment and counselling (may indicate iron deficiency)
- Adolescent pregnancy nutrition (higher needs, extra support)
- Closely spaced pregnancies (nutritional depletion concerns)
Relationship To Central
Practical strategies for maternal comfort and adequate nutrition
Concept
Health Teaching Across Pregnancy
Sub Concepts
- Danger signs recognition and reporting (bleeding, fluid leakage, severe headache, visual changes, facial/hand swelling, epigastric pain, fever, dysuria, decreased fetal movement, preterm contractions, convulsions)
- Activity and rest recommendations (moderate exercise, left-lateral rest, avoid overheating)
- Sexuality in normal pregnancy (avoid if bleeding, ruptured membranes, preterm labour risk)
- Substance and medication safety (verify all medicines)
- Immunisation safety (inactivated flu vaccine safe; live vaccines MMR, varicella contraindicated)
- Preparation for birth and newborn care (birth plan, breastfeeding intent, newborn care knowledge)
- Oral health during pregnancy (safe and important)
- Seatbelt use in pregnancy (lap belt below belly, shoulder strap between breasts)
Relationship To Central
Comprehensive maternal education for safe pregnancy, birth, and newborn transition
Concept
Common Problems Screened in Prenatal Care
Sub Concepts
- Anaemia (Hgb screening at booking and 3rd trimester, iron-folic acid management)
- Gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia (BP, proteinuria, oedema screening)
- Gestational diabetes (screening 24-28 weeks, diet and insulin management)
- Infections (asymptomatic bacteriuria, UTI, syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B screening and prophylaxis)
- Rh incompatibility (anti-D immunoglobulin for prevention)
- Abnormal fetal growth and lie (fundal height, Leopold's manoeuvres, ultrasound referral)
Relationship To Central
Early detection and management of conditions threatening mother and fetus
Concept
Nursing Role and Health-Teaching Priorities
Sub Concepts
- Building rapport and continuity of care
- Supplement adherence reinforcement and troubleshooting
- Danger-sign recognition teaching at every visit
- Addressing social determinants (nutrition on budget, safe home, IPV screening, support systems)
- Referral to social services and DOH programs
- Preparation for facility-based delivery
- Alignment with DOH maternal and newborn health programs
- Documentation and RA 9173 professional standards
Relationship To Central
Professional nursing practice in antenatal care delivery
Concept Connections
To
First (Booking) Visit Assessment
From
Goals and Schedule of Antenatal Care
Strength
strong
Relationship
Booking visit is the foundation establishing the baseline for subsequent visits; comprehensive history and labs determine risk stratification
To
Every-Visit Ongoing Assessments
From
First (Booking) Visit Assessment
Strength
strong
Relationship
Baseline data from booking visit provides comparison point for ongoing assessments; abnormalities detected at follow-up visits are compared to booking baseline
To
Common Problems Screened in Prenatal Care
From
Every-Visit Ongoing Assessments
Strength
strong
Relationship
Each component of ongoing assessment (BP, urine, weight) screens for specific complications like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and anaemia
To
Goals and Schedule of Antenatal Care
From
Tetanus Immunisation (Td Schedule)
Strength
strong
Relationship
Td immunisation is integrated into the antenatal care schedule; timing of Td doses is coordinated with pregnancy weeks and delivery preparation
To
Maternal Weight Gain and Nutritional Requirements
From
Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation
Strength
strong
Relationship
Iron-folic acid supplements are part of comprehensive maternal nutrition; supplementation supports adequate weight gain and fetal development
To
Common Problems Screened in Prenatal Care
From
Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation
Strength
strong
Relationship
Supplementation addresses anaemia prevention; haemoglobin monitoring at booking and third trimester assesses effectiveness of iron-folic acid therapy
To
Maternal Weight Gain and Nutritional Requirements
From
Other Essential Micronutrient Supplements
Strength
moderate
Relationship
Calcium, iodine, and vitamin A supplements support specific aspects of fetal development and maternal health; integrated into overall nutritional plan
To
Maternal Weight Gain and Nutritional Requirements
From
Key Micronutrients and Food Sources
Strength
strong
Relationship
Food sources provide the micronutrients needed for fetal growth and maternal health; dietary counselling complements supplementation
To
Health Teaching Across Pregnancy
From
Foods and Substances to Limit or Avoid
Strength
strong
Relationship
Avoidance of teratogenic substances and unsafe foods is a critical health-teaching priority; reinforced at every visit
To
Maternal Weight Gain and Nutritional Requirements
From
Management of Common Pregnancy-Related Nutrition Issues
Strength
moderate
Relationship
Managing nausea, constipation, and pica ensures mother maintains adequate nutrition and appropriate weight gain despite pregnancy symptoms
To
Nursing Role and Health-Teaching Priorities
From
Health Teaching Across Pregnancy
Strength
strong
Relationship
Health teaching is a core nursing responsibility; repetition of danger signs and nutrition teaching at every contact is the nurse's primary intervention
To
Health Teaching Across Pregnancy
From
Common Problems Screened in Prenatal Care
Strength
strong
Relationship
Health teaching addresses prevention and early recognition of screened conditions; danger-sign teaching is the most critical protective intervention
To
Every-Visit Ongoing Assessments
From
Nursing Role and Health-Teaching Priorities
Strength
strong
Relationship
Nurses conduct the ongoing assessments, document findings, and use assessment data to guide individualised teaching and referrals
To
Key Micronutrients and Food Sources
From
Maternal Weight Gain and Nutritional Requirements
Strength
strong
Relationship
Recommended weight gain and energy are achieved through balanced intake of macronutrients and micronutrients from appropriate food sources
To
Management of Common Pregnancy-Related Nutrition Issues
From
Key Micronutrients and Food Sources
Strength
moderate
Relationship
Food choice adjustments (e.g., smaller, frequent meals for nausea; fibre-rich foods for constipation) address pregnancy-related nutrition challenges while maintaining micronutrient intake
To
Maternal Weight Gain and Nutritional Requirements
From
Every-Visit Ongoing Assessments
Strength
strong
Relationship
Weight measurement at every visit tracks progress toward recommended gain; excessive gain with oedema signals nutritional and metabolic concerns
To
Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation
From
First (Booking) Visit Assessment
Strength
strong
Relationship
Baseline labs (haemoglobin, blood type) at booking determine supplementation needs; Rh-negative status identified at booking guides anti-D prophylaxis
To
Common Problems Screened in Prenatal Care
From
First (Booking) Visit Assessment
Strength
strong
Relationship
Comprehensive booking assessment includes screening for anaemia, infections, hypertension risk, and gestational diabetes; baseline labs establish normal values
To
Health Teaching Across Pregnancy
From
Tetanus Immunisation (Td Schedule)
Strength
moderate
Relationship
Td immunisation is explained during health teaching; woman is counselled on schedule and importance of Td2 for Child Protected at Birth
Previous chapter
Normal Pregnancy: Physiologic & Psychological Changes
Next chapter
Normal Labor & Delivery
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