Betty is in her seventh month of pregnancy. She has been complaining of nasal congestion and occasional epistaxis. The nurse suspects that:

Question

1. this is a normal respiratory change in pregnancy due to elevated levels of estrogen.
2. this is an abnormal cardiovascular change and the nosebleeds are an ominous sign.
3. Betty is a victim of domestic violence and is being hit in the face by her partner.
4. Betty has been using cocaine intranasally.

Answer 1

1
1. Correct. Elevated levels of estrogen cause capillaries to become engorged in the respira-tory tract. This may result in edema in the nose, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. This congestion may cause nasal stuffiness and epistaxis.
2. Incorrect. Cardiovascular changes in pregnancy may cause edema in lower extremities.
3. Incorrect. That determination cannot be made based on the sparse facts provided. If in-deed Betty were hit in the face, she would most likely present with additional physical find-ings.
4. Incorrect. That determination cannot be made based on the sparse facts provided.