While you are assessing the vital signs of a pregnant woman in her third trimester, the patient complains of feeling faint, dizzy, and agitated. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?

Question

a. Have the patient stand up and retake her blood pressure.
b. Have the patient sit down and hold her arm in a dependent position.
c. Have the patient lie supine for 5 minutes and recheck her blood pressure on both arms.
d. Have the patient turn to her left side and recheck her blood pressure in 5 minutes.

Answer 1

ANS: D
Blood pressure is affected by maternal position during pregnancy. The supine position may cause occlusion of the vena cava and descending aorta. Turning the pregnant woman to a lateral recumbent position alleviates pressure on the blood vessels and quickly corrects supine hypotension. Pressures are significantly higher when the patient is standing. This option causes an increase in systolic and diastolic pressures. The arm should be supported at the same level of the heart. The supine position may cause occlusion of the vena cava and descending aorta, creating hypotension.