A patient who is 33 weeks pregnant has been experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions.Which information should the nurse include in responding to this patient?

The correct answer is choice B. Insulin amount needs will continue to increase throughout the second and third trimesters.This is because gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, usually during the 2nd or 3rd trimester.It is caused by hormonal changes that interfere with the action of insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.As the pregnancy progresses, the placenta produces more hormones that increase insulin resistance, so the mother needs more insulin to keep her blood sugar within normal range.

Choice A is wrong because insulin amount needs will not remain stable during the third trimester.They will increase as the placenta grows and produces more hormones that cause insulin resistance.

Choice C is wrong because insulin amount needs will not decrease during the third trimester.They will increase as the placenta grows and produces more hormones that cause insulin resistance.

Choice D is wrong because insulin amount needs will not remain stable for the rest of the second and during the third trimesters.They will increase as the pregnancy progresses and the placenta produces more hormones that increase insulin resistance.

Normal ranges for blood sugar during pregnancy are: fasting < 95 mg/dL, 1 hour after meal < 140 mg/dL, 2 hours after meal < 120 mg/dL.

This is because epidural anesthesia can cause hypotension (low blood pressure) which can affect the placental blood flow and fetal oxygenation.

The nurse should monitor the patient’s blood pressure frequently and intervene if it drops below the baseline.

Choice A is wrong because assessing the patient’s urine for acetone is not relevant to the side effects of epidural anesthesia.Acetone in urine can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes that occurs when the body breaks down fat for energy due to lack of insulin.

However, this is not related to epidural anesthesia.

Choice B is wrong because monitoring the patient’s deep tendon reflexes is not relevant to the side effects of epidural anesthesia.Deep tendon reflexes can be affected by magnesium sulfate, a medication used to prevent seizures in patients with preeclampsia (a condition characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy).

However, this is not related to epidural anesthesia.

Choice C is wrong because assessing the patient’s pupillary accommodation is not relevant to the side effects of epidural anesthesia.

Pupillary accommodation is the ability of the eye to adjust its focus from distant to near objects.It can be impaired by drugs that affect the nervous system, such as opioids or anticholinergics.