The nurse is performing a peripheral vascular assessment of a female client who is 7 months pregnant.The nurse notes mild peripheral edema,all other findings were normal.Which of the following actions by the nurse would be appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mild peripheral edema is a common finding in pregnant women due to the pressure of the growing uterus on the pelvic veins, causing decreased blood return from the legs. This impedes the return of fluids from the legs to the heart, leading to swelling in the lower extremities. As there were no other abnormal findings, it is appropriate for the nurse to document the findings as an expected consequence of pregnancy. Option A is incorrect as the finding of mild peripheral edema is not an emergency for which the healthcare provider needs to be notified immediately. Option B is inappropriate as the use of diuretics during pregnancy should only be considered in severe cases and under the guidance of the healthcare provider. Option D is also incorrect as there is no risk of peripheral vascular ulcer development indicated in the question, and it is not a common or expected complication in otherwise healthy pregnant women with mild peripheral edema.

The Nurse Is Performing a Peripheral Vascular Assessment of a Female