A woman in the third trimester of her first pregnancy complains of excessive fatigue. Her hemoglobin is 11.2 g/dL. What action by the nurse is best?
A.
Arrange hospital admission for blood transfusions.
B.
Assess the woman's diet for adequate iron and protein.
C.
Inform the woman that this is a normal finding in pregnancy.
D.
Tell the woman to get more sleep at night and to take naps.
ANS: B
Anemia of pregnancy occurs mainly due to hemodilution. The mean acceptable hemoglobin level in pregnancy is 11-12 g/dL. Some women experience fatigue due to this change. Sleep disturbances can contribute to the fatigue, but the nurse should ensure that the woman is adequately hydrated and is eating a diet high in protein and iron. She does not need transfusions. Informing the woman that this is normal does not give her the information she needs to care for herself. If sleep disturbances are a contributing factor, extra sleep can help.
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