During vital sign assessment of a pregnant patient in her third trimester, the patient complains of feeling faint, dizzy, and agitated. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Have the patient turn to her left side and recheck her blood pressure in 5 minutes. This intervention is most appropriate because the patient is experiencing symptoms of potential hypotension, common in pregnant women due to changes in blood volume and hormonal levels. Turning the patient to her left side helps improve blood flow to the heart and can alleviate symptoms. Rechecking the blood pressure in 5 minutes allows for monitoring of any changes. Choice A is incorrect as it does not provide a specific intervention. Choice B is incorrect as having the patient stand up may worsen symptoms. Choice C is incorrect as holding the arm in a dependent position may not effectively address the underlying issue of hypotension.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Breast changes. During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause breast enlargement, tenderness, and darkening of the areolas. This is considered a positive sign of pregnancy because it is a direct physiological response to the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. Amenorrhea (choice A) is a common early sign of pregnancy but can also be due to other factors. Fetal movement (choice C) and visualization of fetus by ultrasound (choice D) are considered presumptive and probable signs of pregnancy, respectively, but not definitive positive signs like breast changes.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Chadwick's sign refers to the bluish discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and labia due to increased blood flow, a result of pregnancy hormones. The mucus plug forming in the cervical canal indicates protection from uterine infections, a crucial function during pregnancy. This response directly correlates Chadwick's sign with its physiological significance, showing the nurse's knowledge and ability to educate the patient effectively. Other choices are incorrect because they do not accurately describe Chadwick's sign or its implications in pregnancy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because during pregnancy, the body's demand for oxygen and nutrients increases, leading to an increase in cardiac output to meet these needs. This is due to the expansion of blood volume and the need to supply the growing fetus. Systemic vascular resistance decreases to accommodate the increased blood flow, so choice A is incorrect. Blood pressure typically decreases in early pregnancy but may change with position due to the weight of the uterus on the vena cava, making choice C incorrect. Maternal vasodilation, not vasoconstriction, occurs in response to increased metabolism to support the increased blood flow needed for the growing fetus, making choice D incorrect.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Decreased motility in the intestines. During pregnancy, hormonal changes, specifically increased levels of progesterone, can lead to decreased intestinal motility. This slower movement of food through the intestines can result in constipation. The other choices are incorrect because increased emptying time in the intestines (choice A) would actually help prevent constipation, abdominal distention and bloating (choice B) are symptoms of constipation rather than causes, and decreased absorption of water (choice C) would not directly lead to increased constipation.