Review Cardiovascular Changes in pregnancy

Physiological And Physical Changes In Pregnancy > Maternal & Newborn

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Cardiovascular Changes in pregnancy

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Total Questions : 4

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Question 1:

A nurse is reviewing the cardiovascular changes in pregnancy with a group of nursing students.

Which of the following statements by a student indicates a need for further teaching?

A. The cardiac output increases by 30% to 50% during pregnancy. B. The blood pressure decreases by 10 mmHg during pregnancy. C. The hemoglobin concentration increases by 40% to 50% during pregnancy. D. The venous pressure increases during pregnancy.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Cardiac output increases by 30% to 50% during pregnancy to meet the increased metabolic demands of the mother and fetus.

Choice B:

The blood pressure decreases by 10 mmHg during pregnancy due to systemic vasodilation. It returns to pre-pregnancy levels postpartum.

Choice C:

The hemoglobin concentration decreases by 15% to 20% during pregnancy due to the increase in plasma volume. This is known as physiological anemia of pregnancy.

Choice D:

Venous pressure increases during pregnancy due to increased blood volume and compression of the inferior vena cava by the gravid uterus. This can lead to lower extremity edema and varicose veins.

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Question 2:

A nurse is caring for a pregnant client who has a hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL and a hematocrit level of 32%.

Which of the following explanations should the nurse give to the client?

A. These levels are normal due to physiological anemia of pregnancy. B. These levels are low due to iron deficiency anemia of pregnancy. C. These levels are high due to polycythemia of pregnancy. D. These levels are abnormal due to hemolysis of pregnancy.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

These levels are normal due to physiological anemia of pregnancy. Physiological anemia of pregnancy is a reduction in the concentration of hemoglobin or hematocrit in blood due to an increase in blood volume. The normal range of hemoglobin during pregnancy is 11 to 16 g/dL and the normal range of hematocrit during pregnancy is 32% to 42%. The minimum normal value of hemoglobin is 11 g/dL in the first and third trimester and 10.5 g/dL in the second trimester.

Choice B:

These levels are not low enough to indicate iron deficiency anemia, which is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy. Iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed when hemoglobin is below 10.5 g/dL or hematocrit is below 30%.

Choice C:

These levels are not high enough to indicate polycythemia, which is a rare condition of increased red blood cell mass. Polycythemia is diagnosed when hemoglobin is above 18 g/dL or hematocrit is above 54%.

Choice D:

These levels are not abnormal enough to indicate hemolysis, which is a destruction of red blood cells. Hemolysis can cause severe anemia and jaundice in pregnancy and may be associated with infections, autoimmune disorders, or blood transfusions.

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Question 3:

A nurse is caring for a client who is at her first prenatal visit and reports that she has been experiencing episodes of hypotension since becoming pregnant.

Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

A. "This is due to an increase in blood volume caused by pregnancy.". B. "This is due to an increase in cardiac output caused by pregnancy.". C. "This is due to an increase in body weight caused by pregnancy.". D. "This is due to an increase in pressure on your diaphragm caused by pregnancy.”.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

This is due to an increase in blood volume caused by pregnancy. According to Healthline, pregnancy causes many changes in a woman’s body, including expanding blood vessels to let blood flow to the uterus. This can lower the blood pressure, especially in the first and second trimester of pregnancy.

Choice B:

Increase in cardiac output would raise the blood pressure, not lower it. Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute.

Choice C:

Increase in body weight would also raise the blood pressure, not lower it. Body weight affects the amount of resistance in the blood vessels.

Choice D:

Increase in pressure on the diaphragm would not affect the blood pressure directly. The diaphragm is a muscle that helps with breathing, not with circulation.

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Question 4:

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

Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing joint laxity?

A. Relaxin B. Progesterone C. Estrogen D. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Relaxin is primarily responsible for increasing joint laxity during pregnancy. Relaxin is a hormone that is produced by the corpus luteum and the placenta, and it helps to soften and widen the cervix and the pubic symphysis for childbirth. Relaxin also affects other joints and ligaments throughout the body, making them more flexible and prone to injury.

Choice B:

Progesterone is not directly involved in joint laxity, although it does have other effects on the musculoskeletal system, such as increasing bone resorption and decreasing muscle strength.

Choice C:

Estrogen is not directly involved in joint laxity, although it does have other effects on the musculoskeletal system, such as increasing bone formation and modulating pain perception.

Choice D:

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is not directly involved in joint laxity, although it does have other effects on the musculoskeletal system, such as stimulating thyroid function and increasing fluid retention.

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Cardiovascular Changes in pregnancy

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