FA Davis Maternity Chapter 12: Physiologic and Psychologic Changes in Pregnancy

A 25-year-old client at 18 weeks' gestation has returned to the clinic for her second prenatal visit. Her initial pulse was 60. The nurse can expect her pulse to be _______ bpm at term. - ans70-75. Rationale: The pulse can increase by 10-15 bpm at term. A nurse is teaching a prenatal client about cardiovascular changes during pregnancy. The client asks the nurse why she becomes dizzy when getting out of a chair or out of bed. What rationale should the nurse provide as to the cause of this dizziness during pregnancy? a. Decreased absorption of hemoglobin in the blood. b. Increased production of fibrinogen and plasma. c. Decreased production of estrogen and progesterone. d. Increased blood volume in the lower extremities. - ansD. Increased blood volume in the lower extremities. Rationale: Increased blood volume in the lower legs can make the pregnant woman prone to postural hypotension. Hormones, fibrinogen, plasma production, and hemoglobin are not related to orthostatic hypotension. A nurse is assessing a prenatal client's cardiovascular function. When should the nurse expect this client's cardiac output (CO) to begin rising? a. 8-10 weeks. b. 12-18 weeks. c. 31-38 weeks. d. 20-24 weeks. - ansA. 8-10 weeks. Rationale: Since cardiac output (CO) begins to rise early in pregnancy, 8-10 weeks is the best answer. 12-18, 20-24, and 31-38 weeks are too late.