What is the best explanation that the nurse can provide to a patient who is concerned that she has "pseudoanemia" of pregnancy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because pseudoanemia of pregnancy is a normal physiological change where the blood volume expands more rapidly than red blood cell production, leading to a relative decrease in the concentration of red blood cells. By informing the patient that due to the pregnancy, her blood volume has increased, the nurse is addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This explanation reassures the patient that the pseudoanemia is a common occurrence during pregnancy and does not indicate a true anemia requiring treatment.
Choice A is incorrect as it does not address the patient's concerns about pseudoanemia and delays providing a clear explanation. Choice B is incorrect because pseudoanemia does not require a high-iron diet for correction. Choice D is incorrect as prescribing iron pills is unnecessary for pseudoanemia, which is a normal variant of pregnancy.