Question

A client in the third trimester of pregnancy com- plains of frequent nasal stiffness and occasional nosebleeds. Her chest circumference has increased by 5 cm during the pregnancy, and she uses thoracic breathing. Her diaphragm is elevated and she has an increased costal angle. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Answer 1

To alleviate the client's nasal stiffness and occasional nosebleeds during pregnancy, the nurse should recommend using a humidifier and increasing fluid intake.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client is experiencing nasal stiffness and occasional nosebleeds, which are common symptoms during pregnancy due to the swelling of the respiratory mucosa in response to increased blood flow. To alleviate these symptoms, the nurse should implement the following intervention:

1. Recommend the use of a humidifier to add moisture to the air and reduce nasal congestion.

Encourage the client to increase fluid intake to help keep the respiratory mucosa hydrated.