A nurse is educating a pregnant client about the endocrine changes during pregnancy.

Which hormone is responsible for inhibiting ovulation and stimulating milk production?

Leg cramps are painful muscle contractions that typically affect the calf, foot or both.

They are common during pregnancy, often happening at night during the second and third trimesters.

While the exact cause of leg cramps during pregnancy isn’t clear, various theories point to the following causes of leg cramps during pregnancy: 2

Pregnancy fatigue from carrying the extra baby weight

Compression of the blood vessels in the legs

Diet (an excess of phosphorus and a shortage of calcium or magnesium)

Pregnancy hormones since they seem to cause so many pregnancy aches and pains

Choice A is wrong because increased joint laxity is not a cause of leg cramps, but rather a result of hormonal changes that relax the ligaments and joints in preparation for childbirth.

Choice B is wrong because increased spinal curvature is not a cause of leg cramps, but rather a result of the changing center of gravity and posture during pregnancy.

Choice D is wrong because decreased muscle strength is not a cause of leg cramps, but rather a consequence of muscle fatigue and weight gain during pregnancy.

Normal ranges for calcium are 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL, for magnesium are 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL, and for phosphorus are 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL.

This is because a pregnant client may experience frequent urination at night due to increased urinary output caused by the increased blood volume and renal function during pregnancy.

This symptom is more common in the first and third trimesters.

Choice A is wrong because increased glomerular permeability does not cause nocturia, but it may cause proteinuria, which is the presence of protein in the urine.

Choice B is wrong because decreased renal blood flow does not cause nocturia, but it may cause renal ischemia, which is a condition where the kidneys do not receive enough blood supply.

Choice C is wrong because increased tubular reabsorption does not cause nocturia, but it may cause water retention and edema, which are swelling of the body tissues due to fluid accumulation.