A nurse is educating a group of patients in their first trimester about exercise during pregnancy.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale

It is not recommended to increase weight-bearing exercises during pregnancy. Weight-bearing exercises can put additional stress on the joints, which are already under strain due to the increased weight and changes in body shape during pregnancy.

Choice B rationale

It is not necessary to refrain from exercises that include stretching during pregnancy. In fact, gentle stretching can be beneficial to help alleviate some common discomforts of pregnancy such as backache and leg cramps.

Choice C rationale

Moderate exercise does improve circulation. Improved circulation can help reduce swelling, varicose veins, and feelings of fatigue, which are common during pregnancy.

Choice D rationale

It is not necessary to rest for 30 minutes before each new exercise. However, pregnant women should listen to their bodies and rest if they feel tired.

Choice A rationale

Increasing the rate of maintenance IV infusion is not the first action the nurse should take when observing that the fetal heart rate begins to slow after the start of a contraction and the lowest rate occurs after the peak of the contraction. This pattern is known as late decelerations and is often associated with fetal hypoxemia due to insufficient placental perfusion.

Choice B rationale

The nurse should first place the client in the lateral position. This position can improve placental blood flow and may help to resolve the late decelerations.

Choice C rationale

Administering oxygen using a nasal cannula may be beneficial, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The priority is to improve placental blood flow, which can be achieved by changing the client’s position.

Choice D rationale

Elevating the client’s legs is not the first action the nurse should take. This action would not directly address the issue of late decelerations.