A woman arrives at the clinic for a pregnancy test.

Her last menstrual period (LMP) was February 14, 2019.

What is the client’s expected date of birth (EDB)?

Choice A rationale
While iron-rich foods are important, the decrease in hematocrit is primarily due to hemodilution rather than inadequate iron intake. Hemodilution occurs as plasma volume increases more than red cell mass.
Choice B rationale
Hematocrit changes in pregnancy are typically not indicative of a serious problem but a normal physiological adaptation. Hemodilution reduces hematocrit without indicating a pathological condition.
Choice C rationale
During pregnancy, plasma volume increases by approximately 50%, while red cell mass increases by about 30%, leading to hemodilution. This physiological change results in a lower hematocrit value.
Choice D rationale
Although hematocrit decreases due to hemodilution, it does not mean that there is a deficiency in red blood cell production. It reflects the dilution effect of increased plasma volume during pregnancy.

Choice A rationale
Placental insufficiency leads to late decelerations due to diminished blood flow, resulting in gradual decreases in fetal heart rate. This differs from the abrupt changes seen with cord compression.
Choice B rationale
Abruption manifests with symptoms such as painful bleeding and uterine tenderness, rather than specific heart rate patterns like those caused by cord compression.
Choice C rationale
Head compression produces early decelerations with a characteristic mirror image of contractions, unlike the abrupt heart rate drops seen with cord compression.
Choice D rationale
Cord compression results in variable decelerations, which are abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate due to intermittent reductions in oxygen supply. This matches the tracing pattern described.