Question

The nurse monitors a client at 30 weeks gestation, and the client reports periodic heartburn. It is most important for the nurse to make which recommendation?

a) Take antacids regularly to alleviate heartburn.
b) Lie down flat after meals to minimize acid reflux.
c) Eat smaller, more frequent meals to prevent heartburn.
d) Avoid drinking water between meals to reduce stomach acidity.

Answer 1

The best recommendation for a pregnant client experiencing periodic heartburn is to eat smaller, more frequent meals. This helps prevent heartburn by minimizing reflux and should replace lying flat after meals or avoiding water between meals, which are less effective strategies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important recommendation for a client at 30 weeks gestation experiencing periodic heartburn is to eat smaller, more frequent meals to prevent heartburn. This approach helps to minimize the amount of acid that can reflux into the esophagus and is more effective than taking antacids regularly. It is also preferable to avoid lying down flat after meals, as this can worsen acid reflux, and it is not necessary to avoid drinking water between meals for this purpose.

Heartburn during pregnancy can be attributed to increased intra-abdominal pressure from the growing uterus and decreased peristalsis. Eating smaller meals can reduce gastric pressure. Also, certain foods and beverages, such as chocolate, fatty foods, and peppermint, known to exacerbate GERD symptoms, should be avoided. Besides dietary adjustments, it's also recommended to avoid eating close to bedtime and to consume the last meal of the day at least a couple of hours before lying down.