A woman in the third trimester of her first pregnancy complains ...

[bcretired]

A woman in the third trimester of her first pregnancy complains of excessive fatigue. Her hemoglobin is 11.2 g/dL. What action by the nurse is best?
 
  A.
  Arrange hospital admission for blood transfusions.
  B.
  Assess the woman's diet for adequate iron and protein.
  C.
  Inform the woman that this is a normal finding in pregnancy.
  D.
  Tell the woman to get more sleep at night and to take naps.

Question 2

A pregnant woman in the perinatal clinic complains of occasional fainting. Which action by the nurse is best?
 
  A.
  Educate her that this is a frequent occurrence in pregnancy.
  B.
  Encourage her to carry small snacks with her at all times.
  C.
  Instruct her to lie down when the warning signs occur.
  D.
  Tell her to lie down on her left side if she has warning signs.

[isabelt_18]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Anemia of pregnancy occurs mainly due to hemodilution. The mean acceptable hemoglobin level in pregnancy is 11-12 g/dL. Some women experience fatigue due to this change. Sleep disturbances can contribute to the fatigue, but the nurse should ensure that the woman is adequately hydrated and is eating a diet high in protein and iron. She does not need transfusions. Informing the woman that this is normal does not give her the information she needs to care for herself. If sleep disturbances are a contributing factor, extra sleep can help.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Syncope, or fainting, is occasionally seen in pregnancy and is often preceded by warning signs such as lightheadedness, sweating, nausea, yawning, or sensations of warmth. The nurse should instruct the woman to sit or lie down when these warning signs occur. Lying on the left side is preferred to avoid compressing the vena cava. Simply saying that this occurs frequently does not help the woman take care of herself. This symptom is not related to food intake.

[bcretired]

Excellent

[yeungji]

TYSM