Maternity Nursing: Antepartum Q 3
A nurse is providing instructions to a client in the first trimester of pregnancy regarding measures to assist in reducing breast tenderness. The nurse tells the client to:
A. Avoid wearing a bra.
B. Wash the nipples and areola area daily with soap and massage the breasts with lotion.
C. Wear tight-fitting blouses or dresses to provide support.
D. Wash the breasts with warm water and keep them dry.
Correct Answer: D. Wash the breasts with warm water and keep them dry.
The pregnant woman should be instructed to wash the breasts with warm water and keep them dry. Breasts can become sore in early pregnancy for several reasons, but one of the primary causes is changing hormone levels (such as estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin).
Option A: Wearing a supportive bra with wide adjustable straps can decrease breast tenderness. Back closures rather than front closures will give you the ability to adjust as necessary.
Option B: The woman should be instructed to avoid using soap on the nipples and areola area to prevent the drying of tissues.
Option C: Tight-fitting blouses or dresses will cause discomfort. The woman might instinctually do everything she can to avoid allowing anything to touch her breasts. For example, if the seatbelt is uncomfortable, adjust the strap that zigzags across the torso so that it runs between the breasts and not across the top of one of them.