Question

A trauma patient who is 30-weeks pregnant arrives at the emergency department following a motor vehicle collision. Which normal physiologic change should be considered when assessing ventilatory status?

A. Increased functional reserve capacity
B. Increased oxygen consumption
C. Decreased minute ventilation
D. Slower desaturation rates with apnea

Answer 1

In assessing the ventilatory status of a 30-week pregnant trauma patient, increased oxygen consumption should be considered as it is a key physiological change during pregnancy to meet the demands of the fetus and mother. Therefore, the correct option is b.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing the ventilatory status of a trauma patient who is 30-weeks pregnant, it is important to consider the normal physiological changes that occur during pregnancy. One such change is increased oxygen consumption, which is essential to meet the oxygen demands of the growing fetus and the increased metabolic rate of the mother. This is accompanied by a rise in respiratory minute volume by 50 percent. The correct normal physiological change to consider in this scenario is B. Increased oxygen consumption. The growing uterus might also exert pressure on the diaphragm, potentially causing shortness of breath (dyspnea). In the later stages of pregnancy, lightening occurs as the pelvis becomes more elastic and the fetus descends lower, which can alleviate some of the dyspnea.