What is the most appropriate response by the nurse to a gravida woman who consumes a glass of wine weekly during pregnancy?

The most appropriate response is that there is no amount of alcohol considered safe during pregnancy. This guidance is based on extensive research indicating that alcohol consumption in any quantity during pregnancy can lead to serious risks, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which encompass a range of physical, behavioral, and learning problems in children.

Health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), advise that pregnant women should completely abstain from alcohol to eliminate any risk to the developing fetus. The developing brain and body of the fetus are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol, and there is no established safe threshold.

While some studies may suggest varying effects based on the timing of alcohol exposure, they do not conclusively establish a safe level of consumption. Therefore, the most responsible and evidence-based advice for pregnant women is to avoid alcohol entirely.