Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation. The client asks the nurse to explain what is causing the constipation. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

a) Hormonal changes leading to decreased bowel motility.
b) Increased physical activity causing dehydration.
c) Dietary factors unrelated to pregnancy.
d) Psychological stress affecting digestive processes.

Answer 1

Pregnancy-related constipation at 28 weeks of gestation is most commonly caused by hormonal changes that lead to decreased bowel motility.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct response to the question "A nurse is caring for a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation. The client asks the nurse to explain what is causing the constipation" would be a) Hormonal changes leading to decreased bowel motility. During pregnancy, particularly in the later stages, the body undergoes significant hormonal changes. Increased levels of hormones such as progesterone can lead to decreased intestinal peristalsis, which is the movement of the intestines that helps to push food through the digestive system. Decreased peristalsis can result in pregnancy-related constipation as food moves more slowly through the intestines.