A nurse is providing care to a client in her first trimester of pregnancy.
The client inquires if she can maintain her exercise regimen during pregnancy.
What would be the nurse’s most appropriate response?

Choice A rationale

Bleeding or spotting can accompany implantation. This is a common occurrence and does not necessarily indicate a problem with the pregnancy. It happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Some women may mistake this bleeding for a light period, but it’s a sign of pregnancy.

Choice B rationale

Fertilization typically takes place in the outer third of the fallopian tube. After ovulation, the egg travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If sperm are present in the fallopian tube at this time, fertilization can occur. This is a normal part of the reproductive process.

Choice C rationale

Sperm can remain viable in the woman’s reproductive tract for 2 to 3 days. This means that intercourse does not have to coincide exactly with ovulation in order to achieve pregnancy. The sperm can survive long enough to fertilize the egg when it is released.

Choice D rationale

The statement “Implantation occurs between 2 and 3 weeks after conception” is incorrect and requires intervention by the nurse. Implantation actually occurs about 6-10 days after ovulation, which is less than 2 weeks after conception.

Choice A rationale

Urinary frequency is a common early symptom of pregnancy. It’s caused by an increase of the hormones progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The urges tend to reduce in the second trimester. Most women find they have to pee with even more frequency late in pregnancy, from about week 35 on. Near the end of the third trimester, when your baby is preparing for childbirth, the head “drops” down into the pelvis and presses squarely on your bladder — which means you’ll have that gotta-go urge more than ever.

Choice B rationale

While it’s true that urinary frequency can reduce after the first trimester, it’s not accurate to say that it only lasts until the 12th week for most cases. It’s also not entirely dependent on bladder tone. The frequency of urination during pregnancy is primarily due to hormonal changes and the growing uterus putting pressure on the bladder.

Choice C rationale

Although the duration of urinary frequency can vary among individuals, it’s not accurate to say that there’s no way to predict how long it will last in each individual client. Generally, urinary frequency is common during the first trimester and tends to reduce in the second trimester, only to increase again around week 352.

Choice D rationale

Labeling urinary frequency as a “minor inconvenience” that should be ignored is not an appropriate response. It’s important to validate the client’s experiences and provide accurate information. Urinary frequency is a normal part of pregnancy due to increased hormones and pressure on the bladder from the growing uterus.