Which of the following conditions is common in pregnant clients in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy?

Appeared in: OSSSC Nursing Officer-2021

Explanation

Physiologic anemia is a normal, expected condition in pregnancy, peaking in the second trimester.
It is caused by hemodilution, where the plasma volume increases by approximately 40-50%, while the red blood cell (RBC) mass only increases by 20-30%.
This disproportionate increase leads to a lower concentration of hemoglobin and hematocrit, which is a normal physiological adaptation to pregnancy.

Option A: Mastitis is an inflammation or infection of the breast tissue.
Option B: The normal acid-base balance in pregnancy is a state of compensated respiratory alkalosis, not metabolic alkalosis.
Option D: Pregnancy causes respiratory alkalosis, which is the opposite of respiratory acidosis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Physiological changes during the second trimester of pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to distinguish between physiologic anemia, a normal finding, and pathologic anemia, which requires intervention. Routine hemoglobin and hematocrit screening is a standard part of antenatal care.
Educating the client about this normal change can reduce anxiety. Explain that while her blood is 'thinner', the total oxygen-carrying capacity is still adequate for her and the fetus.
What if? If a client's hemoglobin drops to 9.0 g/dL in the second trimester, this would be classified as pathologic anemia (specifically, moderate anemia). The nurse should anticipate orders for iron supplementation, dietary counseling, and further investigation to rule out other causes like folate deficiency or blood loss.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: a 'common condition' in the '2nd trimester' of pregnancy.
Evaluate each option based on your knowledge of normal physiological changes versus pathological conditions in pregnancy.
Recall that pregnancy involves significant fluid volume changes. This should lead you to consider hematological changes.
Eliminate 'Mastitis' as it is primarily a postpartum condition related to breastfeeding.
Eliminate 'Respiratory acidosis' and 'Metabolic alkalosis' by recalling that the normal state is compensated respiratory alkalosis due to progesterone-induced hyperventilation.
This leaves 'Physiologic anemia', which is a well-known and common consequence of hemodilution that peaks during the second trimester.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Physiological changes during the second trimester of pregnancy
Stem keywords: pregnant clients, 2nd trimester, common condition
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.

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E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur pp. 26-34, 53-67

Practise the full OSSSC Nursing Officer-2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.