To reassure and educate their pregnant patients about changes in their blood pressure, maternity nurses should be aware that:
- A. a blood pressure cuff that is too small produces a reading that is too low; a cuff that is too large produces a reading that is too high.
- B. shifting the patient's position and changing from arm to arm for different measurements produces the most accurate composite blood pressure reading at each visit.
- C. the systolic blood pressure increases slightly as pregnancy advances; the diastolic pressure remains constant.
- D. compression of the iliac veins and inferior vena cava by the uterus contributes to hemorrhoids in the later stage of term pregnancy.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Compression of the iliac veins and inferior vena cava also leads to varicose veins in the legs and vulva.
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Which finding is a positive sign of pregnancy?
- A. Amenorrhea
- B. Breast changes
- C. Fetal movement felt by the woman
- D. Visualization of fetus by ultrasound
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Breast changes. During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause breast enlargement, tenderness, and darkening of the areolas. This is considered a positive sign of pregnancy because it is a direct physiological response to the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. Amenorrhea (choice A) is a common early sign of pregnancy but can also be due to other factors. Fetal movement (choice C) and visualization of fetus by ultrasound (choice D) are considered presumptive and probable signs of pregnancy, respectively, but not definitive positive signs like breast changes.
During sexual intercourse, the sperm cells then enter the uterus though the and travel to the egg tubes:
- A. Cervix
- B. Fallopian tubes
- C. Ovaries
- D. Mammary glands
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sperm enters the uterus through the cervix and travels to the fallopian tubes to reach the egg.
The nurse is educating a client at her first prenatal visit about hormone changes. The nurse explains that which of the following is the purpose of progesterone?
- A. Stimulates uterine development
- B. Relaxes pelvic ligaments and joints
- C. Prepares breasts for lactation
- D. Relaxes smooth muscles
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Progesterone relaxes smooth muscles. Progesterone is essential during pregnancy to maintain the uterine lining and prevent contractions that could lead to miscarriage. It also relaxes smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract to prevent premature labor. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because progesterone's primary role is not to stimulate uterine development, relax pelvic ligaments and joints, or prepare breasts for lactation.
To reassure and educate pregnant patients about changes in the uterus, nurses should be aware that:
- A. lightening occurs near the end of the second trimester as the uterus rises into a different position
- B. the woman's increased urinary frequency in the first trimester is the result of exaggerated uterine anteflexion caused by softening
- C. Braxton Hicks contractions become more painful in the third trimester, particularly if the woman tries to exercise
- D. the uterine souffle is the movement of the fetus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Softening of the lower uterine segment (Hegar's sign) causes increased urinary frequency in the first trimester. Lightening occurs late in pregnancy, Braxton Hicks contractions are not typically painful, and the uterine souffle refers to blood flow sounds.
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.
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