A nurse is explaining the musculoskeletal changes during pregnancy to a group of expectant mothers.

Which change alters the center of gravity and posture of the body?

Back pain is a common symptom experienced due to increased muscle strain during pregnancy.

As the uterus grows and the center of gravity shifts, there is more pressure on the lower back muscles and ligaments.

This can cause pain, difficulty with balance, and reduced activity.

Choice A is wrong because leg cramps are not caused by muscle strain, but by other factors such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or compression of blood vessels.

Choice C is wrong because pelvic pain is not a typical symptom of musculoskeletal changes during pregnancy.

Pelvic pain can be caused by other conditions such as urinary tract infection, preterm labor, or pelvic girdle pain.

Choice D is wrong because carpal tunnel syndrome is not a result of muscle strain, but of fluid retention and swelling that compresses the median nerve in the wrist.

This can cause numbness, tingling, or pain in the hand and fingers.

Increased glomerular filtration rate.

This is because during pregnancy, the renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate increase to meet the increased metabolic demands of the mother and fetus.

This can result in increased urinary protein excretion, which is usually mild and does not indicate renal damage.

Choice A is wrong because decreased glomerular permeability would reduce the amount of protein that can pass through the glomerulus and into the urine.

Choice B is wrong because decreased protein intake would not affect the urinary protein levels, unless the intake is severely deficient.

Choice D is wrong because increased tubular reabsorption would decrease the amount of protein that is excreted in the urine, as the tubules would reabsorb more protein from the filtrate and return it to the blood.