The nurse caring for a woman hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum should expect that initial treatment will involve:

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: Woman shorter than 62 inches or 157 cm should not restrict her weight gain during pregnancy, as she may have a higher risk of delivering a low birth weight infant. She should follow the recommended weight gain guidelines based on her pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI).

Choice B reason: Woman in early adolescence should not restrict her weight gain during pregnancy, as she is still growing and developing herself. She may need more calories and nutrients than an adult woman to support her own health and the fetal growth.

Choice C reason: Woman who was 30 lbs overweight before pregnancy should restrict her weight gain during pregnancy, as she may have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes, hypertension, or preeclampsia. She should aim for a lower weight gain range than a woman with a normal BMI.

Choice D reason: Woman pregnant with twins should not restrict her weight gain during pregnancy, as she needs more energy and nutrients to support the growth of two fetuses. She should aim for a higher weight gain range than a woman with a singleton pregnancy.