Question

The nurse explains that the increase in circulating volume experienced during pregnancy will cause:

a. shortness of breath.
b. frontal headaches.
c. decreased white blood cell count.
d. decreased hemoglobin.

Answer 1

The increase in circulating volume experienced during pregnancy will cause shortness of breath (dyspnea).

Step-by-step explanation:

The increase in circulating volume experienced during pregnancy will cause shortness of breath (dyspnea). During the second half of pregnancy, the growing uterus exerts upward pressure on the diaphragm, decreasing the volume of each inspiration and potentially causing shortness of breath. However, the last several weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus descends lower, often ameliorates dyspnea.