What is the best explanation that the nurse can provide to a patient who is concerned that she has "pseudoanemia" of pregnancy?
A) Have her write down her concerns and tell her that you will ask the physician to respond once the lab results have been evaluated.
B) Tell her that this is a benign self-limiting condition that can be easily corrected by switching to a high-iron diet.
C) Inform her that because of the pregnancy, her blood volume has increased, leading to a substantial dilution effect on her serum blood levels, and that most women experience this condition.
D) Contact the physician and get a prescription for iron pills to correct this condition.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Providing factual information based on physiologic mechanisms is the best option. Although having the patient write down her concerns is reasonable, the nurse should not refer this conversation to the physician but rather address the patient's specific concerns. Switching to a high-iron diet will not correct this condition. This physiologic pattern occurs during pregnancy as a result of hemodilution from excess blood volume. Iron medication is not indicated for correction of this condition. There is no need to contact the physician for a prescription.

What Is the Best Explanation That the Nurse Can Provide