Question

During an exam, the nurse notes that the blood pressure of a client at 22 weeks' gestation is lower, and her heart rate is 12 beats per minute higher than at her last visit. How should the nurse interpret these findings?

Answer 1

Answer:

During this point of pregnant, these findings are normal

Explanation:

During the second trimester in pregnancy, it is normal for a pregnant woman to experience a decrease in blood pressure. This because of the hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy, which causes dilation of the blood vessels. During this same period, pregnant women are likely to have their heart rate increase by 10-15 beats per minute. Hence from the question, an increase of 12 beats per minute in heart beat is still within the normal range for pregnant women. The reason for this is that during pregnancy a woman experiences increased volume of blood and the workload of her organ systems is also increased.