Maternal Monitoring During Labor Related

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A pregnant patient at 24 weeks gestation reports experiencing leg cramps. What is the most appropriate intervention for the nurse to recommend?

  • A. Increase calcium intake to prevent leg cramps.
  • B. Encourage the patient to exercise more to strengthen leg muscles.
  • C. Elevate the legs and perform gentle stretching exercises.
  • D. Apply heat packs to the legs to relieve cramping.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Elevate the legs and perform gentle stretching exercises. Leg cramps during pregnancy are common due to increased weight and pressure on the legs. Elevating the legs helps improve circulation and reduce cramping. Gentle stretching exercises can also help relieve muscle tension. Increasing calcium intake (choice A) may be beneficial for preventing cramps, but it is not the immediate intervention for relief. Exercise (choice B) may worsen cramping if done excessively. Applying heat packs (choice D) may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying cause of the cramps.