During her first months of pregnancy, a client tells the nurse, ...

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During her first months of pregnancy, a client tells the nurse, It seems like I have to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes. The nurse explains to the client that this is because of which of the following?
 
  1. The client probably has a urinary tract infection.
  2. Bladder capacity increases throughout pregnancy.
  3. The growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder.
  4. Some women are very sensitive to body function changes.

Question 2

The primiparous patient at 39 weeks' gestation calls the clinic and reports increased bladder pressure but easier breathing and irregular, mild contractions. She also states that she just cleaned the entire house.
 
  Which statement should the nurse make? 1. You shouldn't work so much at this point in pregnancy.
  2. What you are describing is not commonly experienced in the last weeks.
  3. Your body may be telling you it is going into labor soon.
  4. If the bladder pressure continues, come in to the clinic tomorrow.

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Answer to Question 1

3
Explanation: 3. During the first trimester, the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder, producing urinary frequency until the second trimester, when the uterus becomes an abdominal organ. Near term, when the presenting part engages in the pelvis, pressure is again exerted on the bladder.

Answer to Question 2

3
Rationale 1: There is no indication that the patient should decrease her work schedule.
Rationale 2: Lightening is a common and expected finding.
Rationale 3: One of the premonitory signs of labor is lightening: The baby drops lower into the pelvis, which creates increased pelvic and bladder pressure but less pressure on the diaphragm, which makes breathing easier.
Rationale 4: Lightening does not indicate pathology, and therefore there is no need for the patient to come to the clinic if the symptoms continue.

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Thank you

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Happy to help you