Which statement shows the client understands approximately how many calories per day she needs over her normal pre-pregnant needs?

Choice A rationale

Acupressure involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, aiming to stimulate energy flow and relieve pain. While it can promote relaxation and analgesia by releasing endorphins, its direct effect on significantly reducing blood pressure and respiratory rate in acute anxiety may be less pronounced compared to methods emphasizing controlled breathing techniques.

Choice B rationale

Effleurage is a light, stroking massage, typically applied to the abdomen during contractions. This technique can distract from pain and promote relaxation by stimulating large nerve fibers, thereby reducing pain perception. However, its primary physiological impact is generally on pain modulation and comfort, rather than a direct, strong reduction in elevated blood pressure and respiratory rate.

Choice C rationale

The Bradley method, also known as "husband-coached childbirth," emphasizes natural childbirth, focusing on deep abdominal breathing, relaxation, and partner support. While it promotes a calm environment and can reduce overall stress, its specific techniques for immediate physiological regulation of acutely elevated blood pressure and erratic respirations may not be as direct as methods specifically teaching controlled breathing.

Choice D rationale

The Lamaze method focuses on controlled breathing and relaxation techniques during labor. These techniques, particularly patterned breathing, directly influence the autonomic nervous system by increasing vagal tone, which can lead to a decrease in heart rate and respiratory rate, thereby lowering blood pressure and promoting a sense of calm during periods of anxiety.

Choice E rationale

Yoga incorporates physical postures, breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation. While highly effective for long-term stress reduction and improving cardiovascular health, its immediate application in a laboring client experiencing acute anxiety with elevated vital signs might be less practical for immediate physiological regulation compared to targeted breathing methods like Lamaze.

Choice A rationale

This interpretation incorrectly assigns the meaning of the numbers. In obstetric documentation, the first number represents dilation, the second effacement, and the third fetal station. Therefore, 3 cm for effacement and 30% for dilation is an inaccurate interpretation of standard labor documentation.

Choice B rationale

This is the correct interpretation. In standard obstetric documentation of a vaginal examination, the first number (3 cm) refers to cervical dilation, indicating the opening of the cervix. The second number (30%) refers to effacement, the thinning of the cervix. The third number (-1) indicates the fetal station, meaning the presenting part is 1 cm above the ischial spines.

Choice C rationale

This interpretation incorrectly assigns the meaning of the numbers for dilation and effacement. Additionally, a fetal station of -1 signifies the presenting part is 1 cm *above* the ischial spines, not below. This demonstrates a misunderstanding of both effacement/dilation order and station definition.

Choice D rationale

This interpretation misinterprets the fetal station. A station of -1 means the presenting part is 1 cm *above* the ischial spines, not below. This error in understanding fetal station is critical for assessing labor progression and fetal descent.