To reassure and educate pregnant patients about the functioning of their kidneys in eliminating waste products, maternity nurses should be aware that:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: Increased bladder sensitivity and compression by the enlarging uterus lead to the urge to urinate even if the bladder is almost empty. This is due to the pressure exerted on the bladder by the growing fetus, causing increased frequency of urination. Step 2: This phenomenon is a common experience for pregnant women as their uterus expands and places pressure on the bladder, making them feel the urge to urinate frequently. Step 3: Maternity nurses should be aware of this physiological change to reassure pregnant patients that this urge to urinate is normal during pregnancy and not necessarily indicative of a urinary tract infection. Summary: Choice A is incorrect because increased urinary output in pregnant women does not necessarily make them less susceptible to urinary infection. Choice C is incorrect because renal function is not more efficient when a pregnant woman assumes a supine position; actually, lying on the back can reduce blood flow to the baby. Choice D is incorrect because using diuretics during pregnancy is generally not recommended as it

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the increased vascular volume during pregnancy is essential to provide adequate perfusion of the placenta, ensuring proper nutrient and oxygen exchange between the mother and fetus. This is crucial for the optimal growth and development of the fetus. A: The increased vascular volume during pregnancy does not compensate for decreased renal plasma flow but rather supports the increased metabolic demands of pregnancy. C: The elimination of metabolic wastes of the mother is primarily carried out by the kidneys and liver, not solely through increased vascular volume. D: Preventing maternal and fetal dehydration is more related to adequate fluid intake and retention, rather than the increase in vascular volume during pregnancy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "It may be due to changes in hormones." During the first trimester of pregnancy, hormonal changes, particularly an increase in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen levels, can trigger nausea and vomiting, commonly known as morning sickness. These hormonal fluctuations can affect the gastrointestinal system, leading to symptoms of nausea and vomiting. The other choices are incorrect because: A) an increase in gastric motility typically occurs in later stages of pregnancy, not the first trimester; C) an increase in glucose levels is not directly linked to nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy; D) a decrease in gastric secretions is unlikely to be the primary cause of nausea and vomiting in the first trimester.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Development of the operculum. This adaptation refers to the formation of a mucus plug in the cervix during pregnancy, which helps protect the fetus from infections. It is a direct result of the presence of the fetus as it serves as a physical barrier. A: Leukorrhea is the increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy, but it is not a direct result of the fetus presence. C: Quickening is the first fetal movements felt by the mother, but it is a fetal activity, not a direct adaptation. D: Ballottement is a palpation technique used to assess the fetus position, not an adaptation directly caused by the fetus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.