Question

Placing a pregnant patient in a supine position during the third trimester of pregnancy: is recommended if the patient has severe abdominal discomfort. results in spontaneous urinary incontinence if the bladder is full. may decrease the amount of blood that returns to the heart. often causes hypotension secondary to cardiac compression. What is the effect of placing a pregnant patient in a supine position during the third trimester of pregnancy?

1) It is recommended if the patient has severe abdominal discomfort.
2) It results in spontaneous urinary incontinence if the bladder is full.
3) It may decrease the amount of blood that returns to the heart.
4) It often causes hypotension secondary to cardiac compression.

Answer 1

Placing a pregnant patient in a supine position during the third trimester may decrease the amount of blood returning to the heart and often causes hypotension due to cardiac compression. Lying on one's back can lead to supine hypotensive syndrome, which is why the left side position is usually recommended in order to avoid this.

Step-by-step explanation:

The effect of placing a pregnant patient in a supine position during the third trimester of pregnancy can be complex. While lying on the back may seem comfortable, during the third trimester, the uterus is significantly larger and exerts pressure on major blood vessels, particularly the inferior vena cava and the aorta. This pressure can lead to a decrease in venous return to the heart and may result in supine hypotensive syndrome, characterized by dizziness low blood pressure and other symptoms due to reduced cardiac output and blood flow to the brain.

Therefore the correct answer is that it may decrease the amount of blood that returns to the heart and often causes hypotension secondary to cardiac compression. These effects can pose risks to both the mother and the fetus as they rely on optimal blood circulation for oxygen and nutrient delivery. Lying on the left side is usually recommended to avoid these complications, as this position can relieve the pressure on the inferior vena cava.