I just need some help with my essay question...I can't seem to determine what this patient has?

Question

1. A pregnant woman complains to her doctor that her ankles and feet stay swollen all of the time. She is very worried about this. As her doctor, what would you tell her?

Thanks so much for the help ;-)

Answer 1

We are not doctors. As a nursing student you are a long, long way from having the experience that an MD has. There's no way you can determine what a doctor would tell this woman.

However, for your background information, you'll find these sites helpful.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_swollen-extremities-edema-during-pregnancy_230.bc

http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy/pregnancy_42.html

Answer 2

Ms.Sue
I never said I was a doctor....I AM A NURSING STUDENT! This is the example essay question (word for word) that my teacher has given me!!!!!! Thanks for your help!

Answer 3

You missed MsSue's point: The assignment was ill thought out. Nurses should not be trained to answer the question. I think you would have been better served to have been asked "what would a nurse tell this patient?"

Answer: Tell the patient that some swelling in the hands/feet is normal during pregnancy, and it can be relieved by resting on a the left side of your body. But if swelling around the eyes, or a sudden swelling of the hands or eyes occurs, or the swelling becomes large, contact the doctor q

Answer 4

I was cut off. To finish..

contact the doctor quickly. Finally advise the patient to discuss this swelling with the doctor, and point it out to him. And as always, record this in her chart.

That was in the first web site MsSue listed. Be careful speaking for the doctor, patients might believe you really are. You might want to discuss this with your Nursing Instructor.

Thanks for using Jiskha.

Answer 5

Ms. Sue, this is BIO 202 which is taken by future doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. All Jessie asked for was some help, not your smart attitude. Thank you.