6: Vital Sign Changes in Pregnancy

Question 1

What position decreases BP readings?

Answer 1

Maternal left lateral position

Question 2

What position increases BP readings?

Answer 2

Systolic and diastolic BP may be 16 mm Hg higher when taken while the woman is sitting.

Question 3

What happens to your BP in the 2nd trimester?

Answer 3

1. Systolic BP decreases by 2-8 mm Hg.

2. Diastolic BP decreases by 5-15 mm Hg.

Question 4

What happens to your heart rate in pregnancy?

Answer 4

Increases by 15-20 BPM by 32 weeks’ gestation.

Question 5

T/F You should palpate both the fetal and maternal pulses to help distinguish between the two.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Why does your BP decrease during your 2nd trimester?

Answer 6

Systemic vascular resistance is reduced due to the effects of progesterone, prostaglandins, estrogen, and prolactin.

Question 7

What happens to your BP in the 3rd trimester?

Answer 7

Gradually returns to prepregnancy values.

Question 8

Why might taking pregnancy BP be more accurate with an automated cuff?

Answer 8

Some pregnant women do not have a 5th Korotkoff sound.

Question 9

What happens to your heart sounds in pregnancy?

Answer 9

1. Volume of S1 may be increased with splitting.
2. S3 may be detected.
3. Systolic murmurs may be detected.

Question 10

What happens to your respiratory rate in pregnancy?

Answer 10

Increases by 1-2 breaths/minutes.

Question 11

What happens to your BP in the 1st trimester?

Answer 11

Same as prepregnancy values.