Question

which of the following best describes why women should avoid drinking alcohol when pregnant? a. alcohol use should be avoided during pregnancy because whatever the mother drinks will pass through the liver into the fetus, damaging its growing body. b. drinking alcohol during pregnancy should be avoided because the fetus’s lungs are underdeveloped and can not process the alcohol. c. alcohol use should be avoided during pregnancy because it can cause the fetus to be born with physical deformities and mental difficulties. d. women should avoid alcohol during pregnancy because it increases both the mother’s and fetus’s chance of developing alcohol-related birth defects. please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Explanation:

• Option A: Alcohol passes through the placenta (not liver) to the fetus, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: The main issue with fetal alcohol exposure isn't lung development for processing alcohol, so B is wrong.
• Option C: Alcohol during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, including physical deformities and mental difficulties, which is a correct description of the risk.
• Option D: The mother doesn't develop "alcohol - related birth defects" from her own alcohol consumption during pregnancy in the same way the fetus does; the risk is primarily to the fetus, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Alcohol use should be avoided during pregnancy because it can cause the fetus to be born with physical deformities and mental difficulties.