Questions: A nurse is teaching a client who has a BMI of 22 about dietary recommendations during pregnancy. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? - "I should avoid a vegetarian diet." "I should decrease my intake of protein." "I should increase my daily intake by 600 calories." "I should plan to gain a total of 25 to 35 pounds."

The answer is the last one: "I should plan to gain a total of 25 to 35 pounds."

Explanation for each option:

1. "I should avoid a vegetarian diet." - This statement is incorrect. A vegetarian diet can be healthy during pregnancy as long as it includes a variety of foods to ensure adequate intake of essential nutrients. Pregnant individuals following a vegetarian diet should focus on getting enough protein, iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and other nutrients.

2. "I should decrease my intake of protein." - This statement is incorrect. Protein is essential during pregnancy for the growth and development of the baby. Pregnant individuals are generally advised to increase their protein intake, not decrease it.

3. "I should increase my daily intake by 600 calories." - This statement is incorrect. While caloric needs do increase during pregnancy, the recommended increase is typically around 300-500 calories per day during the second and third trimesters, not 600 calories.

4. "I should plan to gain a total of 25 to 35 pounds." - This statement is correct. For someone with a normal BMI (18.5-24.9), the recommended weight gain during pregnancy is typically between 25 to 35 pounds. This range supports the healthy growth and development of the baby and accounts for changes in the mother's body.

In summary, the correct understanding of dietary recommendations during pregnancy for someone with a BMI of 22 is to plan to gain a total of 25 to 35 pounds.