A pregnant woman's biophysical profile score is 8. She asks the nurse to explain the results. The nurse's best response is:

Choice A reason: Raising the woman's legs is not the best initial response, as it may worsen the dizziness and light-headedness. This is because raising the legs can increase the blood flow to the lower extremities and decrease the blood flow to the brain, which can cause hypotension (low blood pressure) and hypoxia (low oxygen) in the woman and the fetus.

Choice B reason: Having the woman breathe into a paper bag is not the best initial response, as it may not address the underlying cause of the dizziness and light-headedness. This technique is usually used for hyperventilation (rapid breathing), which can cause respiratory alkalosis (high blood pH) and reduce the carbon dioxide levels in the blood. However, the woman may not be hyperventilating, but rather experiencing supine hypotensive syndrome (low blood pressure when lying on the back) due to the pressure of the uterus on the inferior vena cava (a large vein that returns blood to the heart)².

Choice C reason: Turning the woman on her side is the best initial response, as it can relieve the dizziness and light-headedness by improving the blood flow to the brain and the fetus. This is because turning the woman on her side can reduce the pressure of the uterus on the inferior vena cava and increase the cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped by the heart) and the blood pressure. The left lateral position is preferred, as it can also optimize the placental perfusion (the blood flow to the placenta) and the fetal oxygenation.

Choice D reason: Assessing the woman's blood pressure and pulse is an important response, but not the first one. After turning the woman on her side, the nurse should monitor the vital signs and the fetal heart rate to evaluate the condition of the woman and the fetus. The nurse should also check for other signs and symptoms of supine hypotensive syndrome, such as nausea, sweating, and visual disturbances.

Choice A reason: Syphilis is a bacterial STI caused by Treponema pallidum. It is characterized by three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary. It can cause serious complications such as neurosyphilis, cardiovascular syphilis, and congenital syphilis. However, it is not the most common bacterial STI.

Choice B reason: Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. It is not a STI, but rather an opportunistic infection that can affect the vagina, mouth, skin, or other mucous membranes. It can cause symptoms such as itching, burning, discharge, and inflammation.

Choice C reason: Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can infect the urethra, cervix, rectum, throat, or eyes. It can cause symptoms such as dysuria, discharge, pelvic pain, and bleeding. It can also lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, epididymitis, infertility, and disseminated gonococcal infection. However, it is not the most common bacterial STI.

Choice D reason: Chlamydia is a bacterial STI caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common bacterial STI, affecting about 2.86 million people in the United States in 2018. It can infect the urethra, cervix, rectum, throat, or eyes. It can cause symptoms such as dysuria, discharge, pelvic pain, and bleeding. It can also lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, epididymitis, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy.