NURS 455 Exam 1 LATEST UPDATE 2026-2027 \NEWEST
VERSION WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS \GRADED A+
-increased circulating blood volume increases pressure on veins
-progesterone causes blood vessel walls to relax
pathophysiology of varicose -more difficult for blood to return from lower body to the heart
veins in pregnancy -more pressure is placed on the pelvic veins and the
IVC as uterus enlarges causing blood pressure in the
leg veins to increase
-inflammatory mediators released into circulation
varicose veins most 2nd or 3rd trimester
commonly occur when in
pregnancy
-compression stockings during the day
-rest
-sleep on L side
relief measures for varicose -avoid prolonged standing
-elevate feet/legs
veins in pregnancy
-flexion of foot to stretch calf muscles
-reflexology
-water immersion
-increased intra abdominal pressure
pathophysiology of -increased circulating blood volume
hemorrhoids in pregnancy -high levels of circulating progesterone (relaxes vein walls in
rectum)
-constipation
hemorrhoids are most -3rd trimester
prevalent when in pregnancy -1 mo PP
-increased fiber and fluids
-daily exercise; kegels
-decreased straining during bowel movements; avoid
relief measures for sitting on toilet for long period of time
-sitz bath in warm water for 10 min 2-3x daily
hemorrhoids in pregnancy
-mild laxatives/stool softeners
, -witch hazal/esposom salt compresses
-topical anesthetics/cortisone cream
-temporary shift in immunologic, metabolic, and hormonal
pathophysiology of factors leads to shifts in eccrine gland activity
sweating in pregnancy -increased thyroid gland activity
sweating is most common towards the end (2nd/3rd trimester)
when in pregnancy
considerations for -hormones change the tear film causing the eyes to be drier
pregnant patients who -shape of the cornea can change and become edematous d/t
wear contacts water retention
pathophysiology of leg -weight gain
cramps in pregnancy -changes in circulation
-pressure from baby on nerves and blood vessels going to the
legs
,leg cramps occur when in 3rd trimester; particularly at night
pregnancy
-exercise/walking/stretching
-support stockings/good shoes
-rest with legs elevated
-ice/heat
relief measures for leg
-bath/shower
cramps in pregnancy -massage
-increased hydration
-sleep on L side
-pillow between legs
increased saliva ptyalism
ptyalism is most common 1st trimester
when in pregnancy
-eat small meals
-avoid starchy foods
-drink frequent sips of water
-brush teeth/mouthwash several times per day
-chew gum/suck on hard candy
-antiemetics
relief measures for ptyalism in -papaya enzyme
pregnancy -ginger
-lemon water
-herbal teas
-vitamin B
-smelling peppermint
-related to hormone-mediated hyperemia and inflammation in
pathophysiology of pelvic first trimester
fullness/pressure in -early in first trimester can be related to implantation
-vaginal and pelvic pressure in third trimester is
pregnancy
related to increased size of the uterus
-avoid prolonged standing
-rest with legs/hips elevated
-apply heat/cold
relief measures for pelvic -sleep with pillows
-exercise
fullness/pressure in
-hydrate
pregnancy
-acupuncture
-gentle stretches
cause of upper backache in increased size of breasts
, pregnancy
when does upper backache 1st trimester
occur in pregnancy
-supportive bra/abdominal binder
-heat application
-massages
-chamomile tea
-firm mattress
relief measures for upper -stretching/yoga
-acupuncture
backache in pregnancy
-chiropractic manipulation
-PT
cause of lower backache in distention of the abdomen and posture changes
pregnancy
lower backache occurs when last half of pregnancy
in pregnancy
-abdominal binder
-heat application
-massage
-chamomile tea
-avoid lifting with back
-stretching/yoga
-firm mattress
relief measures for lower
-pillow between legs
backache in pregnancy -acupuncture
-chiropractic manipulation
VERSION WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS \GRADED A+
-increased circulating blood volume increases pressure on veins
-progesterone causes blood vessel walls to relax
pathophysiology of varicose -more difficult for blood to return from lower body to the heart
veins in pregnancy -more pressure is placed on the pelvic veins and the
IVC as uterus enlarges causing blood pressure in the
leg veins to increase
-inflammatory mediators released into circulation
varicose veins most 2nd or 3rd trimester
commonly occur when in
pregnancy
-compression stockings during the day
-rest
-sleep on L side
relief measures for varicose -avoid prolonged standing
-elevate feet/legs
veins in pregnancy
-flexion of foot to stretch calf muscles
-reflexology
-water immersion
-increased intra abdominal pressure
pathophysiology of -increased circulating blood volume
hemorrhoids in pregnancy -high levels of circulating progesterone (relaxes vein walls in
rectum)
-constipation
hemorrhoids are most -3rd trimester
prevalent when in pregnancy -1 mo PP
-increased fiber and fluids
-daily exercise; kegels
-decreased straining during bowel movements; avoid
relief measures for sitting on toilet for long period of time
-sitz bath in warm water for 10 min 2-3x daily
hemorrhoids in pregnancy
-mild laxatives/stool softeners
, -witch hazal/esposom salt compresses
-topical anesthetics/cortisone cream
-temporary shift in immunologic, metabolic, and hormonal
pathophysiology of factors leads to shifts in eccrine gland activity
sweating in pregnancy -increased thyroid gland activity
sweating is most common towards the end (2nd/3rd trimester)
when in pregnancy
considerations for -hormones change the tear film causing the eyes to be drier
pregnant patients who -shape of the cornea can change and become edematous d/t
wear contacts water retention
pathophysiology of leg -weight gain
cramps in pregnancy -changes in circulation
-pressure from baby on nerves and blood vessels going to the
legs
,leg cramps occur when in 3rd trimester; particularly at night
pregnancy
-exercise/walking/stretching
-support stockings/good shoes
-rest with legs elevated
-ice/heat
relief measures for leg
-bath/shower
cramps in pregnancy -massage
-increased hydration
-sleep on L side
-pillow between legs
increased saliva ptyalism
ptyalism is most common 1st trimester
when in pregnancy
-eat small meals
-avoid starchy foods
-drink frequent sips of water
-brush teeth/mouthwash several times per day
-chew gum/suck on hard candy
-antiemetics
relief measures for ptyalism in -papaya enzyme
pregnancy -ginger
-lemon water
-herbal teas
-vitamin B
-smelling peppermint
-related to hormone-mediated hyperemia and inflammation in
pathophysiology of pelvic first trimester
fullness/pressure in -early in first trimester can be related to implantation
-vaginal and pelvic pressure in third trimester is
pregnancy
related to increased size of the uterus
-avoid prolonged standing
-rest with legs/hips elevated
-apply heat/cold
relief measures for pelvic -sleep with pillows
-exercise
fullness/pressure in
-hydrate
pregnancy
-acupuncture
-gentle stretches
cause of upper backache in increased size of breasts
, pregnancy
when does upper backache 1st trimester
occur in pregnancy
-supportive bra/abdominal binder
-heat application
-massages
-chamomile tea
-firm mattress
relief measures for upper -stretching/yoga
-acupuncture
backache in pregnancy
-chiropractic manipulation
-PT
cause of lower backache in distention of the abdomen and posture changes
pregnancy
lower backache occurs when last half of pregnancy
in pregnancy
-abdominal binder
-heat application
-massage
-chamomile tea
-avoid lifting with back
-stretching/yoga
-firm mattress
relief measures for lower
-pillow between legs
backache in pregnancy -acupuncture
-chiropractic manipulation
