Maternal Fetal Monitoring Related

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A pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation reports severe heartburn. What should the nurse recommend to relieve symptoms?

  • A. Take over-the-counter antacids after every meal.
  • B. Eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid lying down after eating.
  • C. Drink a large glass of water immediately after meals to dilute stomach acid.
  • D. Increase caffeine intake to speed up digestion.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid lying down after eating. This recommendation helps prevent acid reflux by reducing the pressure on the stomach and ensuring that the stomach is not overly full. Eating smaller meals more frequently prevents the stomach from becoming too full, which can trigger heartburn. Avoiding lying down after eating helps prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. Options A, C, and D are incorrect. Taking antacids after every meal can lead to excessive intake and potential side effects. Drinking water immediately after meals may exacerbate heartburn by diluting stomach acid further. Increasing caffeine intake can worsen heartburn symptoms due to its ability to relax the lower esophageal sphincter.