American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam

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What medication should pregnant women with a history of pre-eclampsia be given?

  1. Calcium supplements

  2. Baby aspirin daily

  3. Iron supplements

  4. Magnesium sulfate

The correct answer is: Baby aspirin daily

Pregnant women with a history of pre-eclampsia are often advised to take baby aspirin daily. This recommendation is based on studies that suggest low-dose aspirin can help to reduce the risk of developing pre-eclampsia in subsequent pregnancies, particularly in women who have had a previous pre-eclamptic pregnancy. The mechanism involves aspirin's ability to improve placental perfusion and potentially alter the inflammatory pathways that contribute to the development of pre-eclampsia. Calcium supplements are beneficial for preventing hypertension during pregnancy but are generally recommended for those at risk of low dietary calcium intake. Iron supplements are helpful for preventing or treating anemia in pregnancy, which is a separate concern. Magnesium sulfate is typically used as a treatment for eclampsia or severe pre-eclampsia rather than as a preventive measure. Thus, daily baby aspirin is the most appropriate choice for lowering the risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women with a previous history of the condition.