A nurse providing dietary teaching for a client who is at 29 weeks of gestation and has phenylketonuria. Which of the following suggested foods should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice C rationale:

Hypotension is a finding that indicates the client is experiencing decreased cardiac output. Excessive vaginal bleeding can lead to hypovolemia, reducing the volume of blood pumped by the heart and resulting in decreased cardiac output. The body responds to hypovolemia and decreased cardiac output by trying to maintain blood pressure, which leads to hypotension.

Choice A rationale:

Bradycardia is not a finding indicating decreased cardiac output in this scenario. While bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate) can be associated with decreased cardiac output in certain situations, it is not the primary finding in a postpartum client experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding.

Choice B rationale:

A flushed face is not an indicator of decreased cardiac output. A flushed face may result from various factors such as fever or emotional stress, but it is not directly related to cardiac output.

Choice D rationale:

Polyuria (excessive urination) is not an indicator of decreased cardiac output. Polyuria may occur due to factors like diuresis or increased fluid intake but is not directly related to cardiac output in the context of excessive vaginal bleeding.

Choice A rationale:

Increasing potassium intake is not specifically associated with relieving breast discomfort during menstruation. There is no established link between potassium intake and fibrocystic breast changes.

Choice B rationale:

Increasing fluid intake is generally beneficial for overall health, but it is not a specific recommendation for managing breast discomfort during menstruation. It may not have a direct impact on fibrocystic breast changes.

Choice C rationale:

Decreasing sodium intake before menstruation is a relevant instruction for managing breast discomfort associated with fibrocystic breast changes. High sodium intake can lead to water retention and breast swelling, exacerbating discomfort.

Choice D rationale:

Daily fiber intake is important for bowel health but is not directly related to managing breast discomfort during menstruation or fibrocystic breast changes.