A nurse is caring for a client who is at 10 weeks of gestation and reports nausea and vomiting on most days.
Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?

Keep your environment well ventilated. This can help reduce nausea and vomiting by eliminating odors that might trigger them.

Some additional explanations are:

Choice B is wrong because eating three large meals each day can increase nausea and vomiting by overloading the stomach. It is better to eat small, frequent meals and avoid spicy, greasy, or strong-smelling foods.

Choice C is wrong because restricting intake of high-carbohydrate foods can lead to ketosis, which can worsen nausea and vomiting. High-carbohydrate foods can also help settle the stomach and provide energy.

Choice D is wrong because brushing your teeth immediately after eating can stimulate the gag reflex and cause nausea and vomiting. It is better to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after eating and brush your teeth at least an hour later.

Normal ranges for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are:

• Nausea and vomiting usually start around 6 weeks of gestation and peak around 9 weeks. They usually subside by 16 to 20 weeks, but some women may experience them throughout pregnancy.
• Nausea and vomiting are considered mild if they do not interfere with daily activities or nutrition. They are considered moderate if they cause some difficulty with daily activities or nutrition. They are considered severe if they prevent adequate intake of fluids and nutrients, cause weight loss, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or ketonuria.
• Nausea and vomiting that are severe or persist beyond 20 weeks of gestation may indicate a complication such as hyperemesis gravidarum, molar pregnancy, multiple gestation, or infection.

A bone scan that is scheduled for today. The nurse should include this information in the change-of-shift report because the oncoming nurse might have to modify the client’s care to accommodate leaving the unit.

Choice A is wrong because the client’s input and output for the shift are routine data that can be found in the client’s chart and do not need to be verbally reported.

Choice B is wrong because the client’s blood pressure from the previous day is not relevant to the current condition of the client and does not reflect any changes or interventions.

Choice D is wrong because the medication routine from the medication administration record is also routine data that can be accessed by the oncoming nurse and does not indicate any special needs or concerns.