A 16-year-old client comes to the prenatal clinic for her monthly appointment. She has gained 14 lb from her 7th to 8th month; her face and hands indicate edema. She is diagnosed as having PIH and referred to the high-risk prenatal clinic.

A 16-year-old client comes to the prenatal clinic for her monthly appointment. She has gained 14 lb from her 7th to 8th month; her face and hands indicate edema. She is diagnosed as having PIH and referred to the high-risk prenatal clinic.

The client’s weight increase is most likely due to:
A . Overeating and subsequent obesity
B . Obesity prior to conception
C . Hypertension due to kidney lesions
D . Fluid retention

View Answer

Answer: D

Explanation:

(A) Overeating can lead to obesity, but not to edema.

(B) There is no indication of obesity prior to pregnancy. PIH is more prevalent in the underweight than in the obese in this age group.

(C) Hypertension can be due to kidney lesions, but it would have been apparent earlier in the pregnancy.

(D) The weight gain in PIH is due to the retention of sodium ions and fluid and is one of the three cardinal symptoms of PIH.