Question

Some pregnant clients may complain of changes in their voice and impaired hearing. What should the nurse explain to the client concerning these findings?

a. Voice changes are caused by decreased estrogen levels.
b. Displacement of the diaphragm results in thoracic breathing.
c. Voice changes and impaired hearing are due to the results of congestion and swelling of the upper respiratory tract.
d. Increased blood volume causes changes in the voice.

Answer 1

Pregnant women's voice changes and impaired hearing often results from swelling and congestion in the upper respiratory tract due to increased blood flow and are part of the body's adaptation to pregnancy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The changes that pregnant women experience in their voice and hearing can be attributed to increased congestion and swelling of the upper respiratory tract. This is a result of the physiological changes taking place during pregnancy, where the respiratory mucosa swells due to increased blood flow, leading to nasal congestion. These changes are part of the body adapting to accommodate the growing fetus and are not directly related to voice changes caused by changes in hormone levels, such as estrogen, or solely because of increased blood volume affecting the voice.