Cardiovascular Changes in pregnancy
Cardiovascular Changes in pregnancy ( 4 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a pregnant client who has a hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL and a hematocrit level of 32%.
Which of the following explanations should the nurse give to the client?
These levels are normal due to physiological anemia of pregnancy. Physiological anemia of pregnancy is a reduction in the concentration of hemoglobin or hematocrit in blood due to an increase in blood volume. The normal range of hemoglobin during pregnancy is 11 to 16 g/dL and the normal range of hematocrit during pregnancy is 32% to 42%. The minimum normal value of hemoglobin is 11 g/dL in the first and third trimester and 10.5 g/dL in the second trimester.
These levels are not low enough to indicate iron deficiency anemia, which is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy. Iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed when hemoglobin is below 10.5 g/dL or hematocrit is below 30%.
These levels are not high enough to indicate polycythemia, which is a rare condition of increased red blood cell mass. Polycythemia is diagnosed when hemoglobin is above 18 g/dL or hematocrit is above 54%.
These levels are not abnormal enough to indicate hemolysis, which is a destruction of red blood cells. Hemolysis can cause severe anemia and jaundice in pregnancy and may be associated with infections, autoimmune disorders, or blood transfusions.
These levels are normal due to physiological anemia of pregnancy. Physiological anemia of pregnancy is a reduction in the concentration of hemoglobin or hematocrit in blood due to an increase in blood volume. The normal range of hemoglobin during pregnancy is 11 to 16 g/dL and the normal range of hematocrit during pregnancy is 32% to 42%. The minimum normal value of hemoglobin is 11 g/dL in the first and third trimester and 10.5 g/dL in the second trimester.
Choice B is wrong because these levels are not low enough to indicate iron deficiency anemia, which is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy. Iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed when hemoglobin is below 10.5 g/dL or hematocrit is below 30%.
Choice C is wrong because these levels are not high enough to indicate polycythemia, which is a rare condition of increased red blood cell mass. Polycythemia is diagnosed when hemoglobin is above 18 g/dL or hematocrit is above 54%.
Choice D is wrong because these levels are not abnormal enough to indicate hemolysis, which is a destruction of red blood cells. Hemolysis can cause severe anemia and jaundice in pregnancy and may be associated with infections, autoimmune disorders, or blood transfusions.