Page 640 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

3. Shortness of breath may be experienced.

During pregnancy, a woman’s pulse rate may increase about

10 to 15 beats per minute; the blood pressure slightly decreases in the
second trimester, then increases in the third trimester, but not above the
prepregnancy level; and the respiratory rate remains unchanged or
slightly increases.
C. Gastrointestinal system
1. Nausea and vomiting may occur as a result of the
secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin; it
typically subsides by the third month.
2. Poor appetite may occur because of decreased gastric
motility.
3. Alterations in taste and smell may occur.
4. Constipation may occur because of an increase in
progesterone production or pressure of the uterus
resulting in decreased gastrointestinal motility.
5. Flatulence and heartburn may occur because of
decreased gastrointestinal motility and slowed
emptying of the stomach caused by an increase in
progesterone production.
6. Hemorrhoids may occur because of increased venous
pressure.
7. Gum tissue may become swollen and easily bleed
because of increasing levels of estrogen.
8. Ptyalism (excessive secretion of saliva) may occur
because of increasing levels of estrogen.
D. Renal system
1. Frequency of urination increases in the first and third
trimesters because of increased bladder sensitivity
and pressure of the enlarging uterus on the bladder.
2. Decreased bladder tone may occur and is caused by an
increase in progesterone and estrogen levels; bladder
capacity increases in response to increasing levels of
progesterone.
3. Renal threshold for glucose may be reduced.
E. Endocrine system
1. Basal metabolic rate increases and metabolic function
increases.
2. The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland enlarges and
produces serum prolactin needed for the lactation
process.
3. The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland produces
oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contractions.
4. The thyroid enlarges slightly, and thyroid activity
increases.
5. The parathyroid increases in size.

640