Nokea
A nurse is assessing a pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation who reports occasional dizziness and fainting. What should the nurse assess first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The patient's blood pressure and hydration status. This is the priority because dizziness and fainting can be signs of hypotension or dehydration, which can be dangerous during pregnancy. Checking blood pressure and hydration status will help determine if these symptoms are related to these issues.
B: Assessing fetal heart rate and activity levels is important but not the priority in this scenario as the patient's symptoms are more likely related to her own health rather than the fetus.
C: Checking hemoglobin and hematocrit levels is important for assessing anemia but is not the immediate concern in a patient experiencing dizziness and fainting.
D: Weight gain and diet history are important aspects of prenatal care but are not the priority when dealing with symptoms of dizziness and fainting.