What is the physiologic reason for vascular volume increasing by 40% to 60% during pregnancy?
- A. Prevents maternal and fetal dehydration
- B. Eliminates metabolic wastes of the mother
- C. Provides adequate perfusion of the placenta
- D. Compensates for decreased renal plasma flow
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Provides adequate perfusion of the placenta. During pregnancy, the increased vascular volume ensures sufficient blood flow to the placenta, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus. This is crucial for fetal growth and development. The other choices are incorrect because:
A: Preventing maternal and fetal dehydration is not the main reason for the significant increase in vascular volume during pregnancy.
B: Eliminating metabolic wastes of the mother does not require such a substantial increase in vascular volume.
D: Compensating for decreased renal plasma flow is not the primary physiologic reason for the vascular volume expansion during pregnancy.
You may also like to solve these questions
A client at 10 weeks gestation is being seen by the nurse. The client reports that she has nausea and vomiting each morning. Which is the nurse's best response?
- A. Drink a large glass of milk before you get out of bed.
- B. Eat crackers before you get out of bed.
- C. Eat dinner before 6:00 p.m. every night.
- D. Eat small meals during the day.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Eat crackers before you get out of bed. This is the best response because eating crackers before getting out of bed can help alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness in early pregnancy. The crackers can help stabilize blood sugar levels and settle the stomach. Drinking a large glass of milk (choice A) may exacerbate nausea for some individuals. Eating dinner before 6:00 p.m. (choice C) is not directly related to morning sickness. Eating small meals during the day (choice D) is generally a good strategy, but specifically eating crackers before getting out of bed is more effective for morning sickness.
The breast includes:
- A. The nipple
- B. The ovaries
- C. The testes
- D. The scrotum
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nipple is a key anatomical feature of the breast, involved in lactation and feeding.
A woman is in her seventh month of pregnancy. She has been reporting nasal congestion and occasional epistaxis. The nurse suspects that:
- A. this is a normal respiratory change in pregnancy caused by elevated levels of estrogen.
- B. this is an abnormal cardiovascular change, and the nosebleeds are an ominous sign.
- C. the woman is a victim of domestic violence and is being hit in the face by her partner.
- D. the woman has been using cocaine intranasally.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elevated levels of estrogen cause capillaries to become engorged in the respiratory tract. This may result in edema in the nose, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. This congestion may cause nasal stuffiness and epistaxis.
A patient relates a story of how her boyfriend is feeling her aches and pains associated with her pregnancy. She is concerned that her boyfriend is making fun of her concerns. How would you respond to this patient statement?
- A. Tell her not to worry because it is natural for her boyfriend to make her feel better by identifying with her pregnancy.
- B. Refer the patient to a psychologist for counseling to deal with this problem because it is clearly upsetting her.
- C. Explain that her boyfriend may be experiencing couvade syndrome and that this is a normal finding seen with male partners.
- D. Ask the patient specifically to define her concerns related to her relationship with her boyfriend and suggest methods to stop this type of behavior by her significant other.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because couvade syndrome is a real phenomenon where male partners experience similar symptoms to their pregnant partners. By explaining this to the patient, it validates her concerns and normalizes her boyfriend's behavior.
Choice A is incorrect because it dismisses the patient's concerns and does not address the underlying issue. Choice B is incorrect because referring the patient to a psychologist may be premature without exploring the possibility of couvade syndrome first. Choice D is incorrect because it does not address the potential root cause of the boyfriend's behavior and may not provide a satisfactory resolution for the patient.
Numerous changes in the integumentary system occur during pregnancy. Which change persists after birth?
- A. Epulis
- B. Chloasma
- C. Telangiectasia
- D. Striae gravidarum
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Striae gravidarum, or stretch marks, persist after pregnancy, although they may fade over time. Other changes like epulis and chloasma typically resolve postpartum.