A 22-year-old pregnant woman reports craving and eating non-food items such as ice, clay, and dirt. Which of the following statements by the nurse is correct?

A. "You should be encouraged to eat more of these items to satisfy cravings." is incorrect because consuming non-food items like ice, clay, or dirt can be harmful. These substances may contain toxins or pathogens and can interfere with nutrient absorption. Encouraging this behavior would be unsafe. B. "This is a normal behavior during pregnancy and does not require intervention." is incorrect because while cravings are common in pregnancy, PICA is an abnormal eating behavior involving non-food items and requires assessment and intervention due to potential health risks. C. "This behavior, called PICA, may lead to nutritional deficiencies and should be assessed." is correct. PICA is the recurrent consumption of non-nutritive substances and is often associated with iron deficiency anemia and other nutritional deficiencies. The nurse should assess for nutritional status, laboratory abnormalities, and educate the client on potential risks to both mother and fetus. D. "PICA only occurs in the first trimester and will resolve on its own." is incorrect because PICA can occur at any time during pregnancy and may persist throughout gestation if untreated. It does not resolve spontaneously in all cases.