Question

The nurse in the prenatal clinic assesses a client at 31 weeks gestation. The client's BP is 150/96, edema of the face and hands is noted, 3+ protein in the urine, and serum albumin level is 3 gm/dL. Which of the following instructions by the nurse is most important?

A. The client should decrease caloric intake
B. The client should eliminate all salt from her diet
C. The client should ensure adequate protein
D. The client should increase her intake of iron

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client to ensure adequate protein intake.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse in the prenatal clinic should instruct the client to ensure adequate protein intake. The presence of 3+ protein in the urine and a serum albumin level of 3 gm/dL indicate a potential problem with the client's kidney function. Adequate protein intake is important to prevent further damage to the kidneys and help manage conditions like preeclampsia, which can lead to high blood pressure and edema.