🩺 Nursing Question of the Day
Challenge yourself with one exam-style nursing question every day.
✅ Think carefully • ✅ Choose your answer • ✅ Then scroll down to check the explanation.
📝 Today’s Question:
A pregnant woman is worried about mild swelling in her feet. What is the appropriate antenatal advice for this common concern? A. B. C. D.
👆 Comment your answer and the tap an option to check your answer.
Don’t forget to Comment your answer below.
🤰 Antenatal Care — Mild Foot Swelling
B. Swelling is prevented by drinking less water
C. Swelling should be ignored during pregnancy
D. Swelling always requires emergency treatment
✅ Answer: (A) Elevating the legs can help reduce swelling
📖 Why is This the Correct Answer?
Mild swelling of the feet and ankles is common during pregnancy, particularly later in pregnancy. It occurs partly because the growing uterus can put pressure on the veins returning blood from the lower limbs, while pregnancy also causes normal changes in fluid balance.
Elevating the legs when resting can promote venous return and help reduce dependent swelling. The woman can also avoid standing for long periods and use comfortable footwear.
💡 Simple Antenatal Advice
- Elevate the legs when resting.
- Avoid standing for prolonged periods.
- Change position regularly.
- Wear comfortable, supportive footwear.
- Maintain normal fluid intake; do not deliberately restrict water.
- Stay physically active as appropriate during pregnancy.
The important point is that mild, gradual swelling of both feet can be a normal pregnancy change. However, swelling that is sudden, severe, or associated with other concerning symptoms should be assessed.
Sudden or marked swelling, especially of the face or hands, or swelling associated with severe headache, visual disturbances, upper abdominal pain, or high blood pressure, may indicate a pregnancy complication such as preeclampsia and requires prompt assessment.
❌ Why Are the Other Options Wrong?
A. Elevating the legs can help reduce swelling ✅
Elevation helps improve venous return and can reduce dependent edema. This is appropriate advice for uncomplicated mild swelling.
B. Swelling is prevented by drinking less water ❌
Pregnant women should not deliberately restrict fluids to treat normal swelling. Adequate hydration is important during pregnancy.
C. Swelling should be ignored during pregnancy ❌
Mild bilateral swelling can be normal, but swelling should not simply be ignored. The nurse should assess the pattern and associated symptoms and educate the woman about warning signs.
D. Swelling always requires emergency treatment ❌
Mild dependent swelling is common and does not automatically require emergency treatment. Emergency assessment is appropriate when swelling is sudden, severe, or accompanied by signs suggestive of a serious complication.
📊 Quick Comparison
| Finding | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Mild bilateral foot swelling | Often a normal pregnancy change |
| Sudden severe swelling | Needs prompt assessment |
| Swelling + headache/visual symptoms | Consider preeclampsia |
| One-sided painful swelling | Assess for possible DVT |
“SWOLLEN FEET? LIFT THE FEET!”
For uncomplicated mild dependent edema in pregnancy → elevate the legs.
📌 Exam Tip: Mild bilateral ankle/foot edema is a common pregnancy finding. For uncomplicated swelling, think leg elevation, avoiding prolonged standing, and comfortable footwear. Always distinguish normal dependent edema from sudden swelling with symptoms of preeclampsia or other complications.
Concept clarity • Easy recall • Nursing success
Don’t forget to comment the answer below.