Maternal Monitoring Related

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A pregnant patient at 36 weeks gestation reports feeling short of breath when lying flat. What is the most appropriate recommendation for the nurse to make?

  • A. Encourage the patient to lie on her left side to improve circulation.
  • B. Administer oxygen as prescribed to alleviate breathing difficulties.
  • C. Instruct the patient to rest in an upright position to reduce pressure on the diaphragm.
  • D. Advise the patient to take deep breaths and monitor symptoms.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because instructing the patient to rest in an upright position helps reduce pressure on the diaphragm, allowing for better lung expansion and improved breathing capacity. This position can alleviate the shortness of breath experienced when lying flat due to the growing uterus pressing on the diaphragm. Option A is incorrect because lying on the left side may not alleviate the pressure on the diaphragm as effectively as an upright position. Option B may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying cause. Option D focuses on symptom management rather than addressing the positional discomfort caused by the pregnancy.