QUESTION: "The client, 11 weeks pregnant, tells the nurse that she has been vomiting after breakfast nearly every morning. Which of the following measures should the nurse suggest to help the client cope with early morning nausea and vomiting?"
CHOICES
( X ) a.) Limiting fluid intake between meals.
( X ) b.) Increasing her intake of high-fat foods.
( O ) c.) Eating dry, unsalted crackers before arising.
( X ) d.) Drinking a carbonated beverage before bedtime.
RATIONALE: Eating dry high-carbohydrate food, such as crackers or dry toast, before arising in the morning often relieves the early morning nausea and vomiting that many pregnant women experience. Doing so helps to alleviate hypoglycemia. Rather than limiting fluids between meals, fluids should be taken frequently to prevent dehydration. Eating high-fat foods tends to exacerbate the condition for many women because these foods cause disagreeable aftereffects, such as heartburn. Drinking a carbonated beverage at bedtime has not been proven to be successful in controlling early morning nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. NURSING PROCESS STEP: Implementation CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Physiological integrity CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: Basic care and comfort
