Your antepartal patient is 38 weeks' gestation, has a history of thrombosis, and has been on strict bed rest for the last 12 hours

She is now experiencing shortness of breath. What about the patient may be a contributing factor for her shortness of breath?
a. Physiologic changes in pregnancy result in vasodilation, which increases the tendency to form blood clots.
b. Physiologic changes in pregnancy result in vasoconstriction, which increases the tendency to form blood clots.
c. Physiologic changes in pregnancy result in anemia, which increases the tendency to form blood clots.
d. Physiologic changes in pregnancy result in decreased perfusion to the lungs, which increases the tendency to form blood clots.


ANS: a
The patient's shortness of breath, bed rest, and history of thrombosis indicate possible pulmonary embolism. Her pregnant state also increases the potential for thrombosis resulting from increased levels of coagulation factors and decreased fibrinolysis, venous dilation, and obstruction of the venous system by the gravid uterus. Thromboembolitic diseases occurring most frequently in pregnancy include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

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