Author Question: A woman who is 28 weeks' pregnant has bilateral edema in her lower legs after working 8 hours a day ... (Read 103 times)

mikaylakyoung · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A woman who is 28 weeks' pregnant has bilateral edema in her lower legs after working 8 hours a day as a cashier at a local grocery store. She is worried about her legs. What is the nurse's best response?

a. You will be at risk for development of varicose veins when your legs are edematous.
b. I would like to listen to your heart sounds. Edema can indicate a problem with your heart.
c. Edema is usually the result of too much salt and fluids in your diet. You may need to cut down on salty foods.
d. As your baby grows, it slows blood return from your legs, causing the swelling. This often occurs with prolonged standing.

Question 2

A patient who is 20 weeks' pregnant tells the nurse that she feels more shortness of breath as her pregnancy progresses. The nurse recognizes which statement to be true?

a. High levels of estrogen cause shortness of breath.
b. Feelings of shortness of breath are abnormal during pregnancy.
c. Hormones of pregnancy cause an increased respiratory effort.
d. The patient should get more exercise in an attempt to increase her respiratory reserve.

amcvicar · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Edema of the lower extremities occurs because of the enlarging fetus, which impairs venous return. Prolonged standing worsens the edema. Typically, the bilateral, dependent edema experienced with pregnancy is not the result of a cardiac pathologic condition.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Progesterone and estrogen cause an increase in respiratory effort during pregnancy by increasing tidal volume. Increased tidal volume causes a slight drop in partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), causing the woman to have dyspnea occasionally. The other options are not correct.