Which vital sign change is expected in the third trimester of pregnancy?

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Multiple Choice

Which vital sign change is expected in the third trimester of pregnancy?

In the third trimester, the cardiovascular system undergoes changes to support the growing fetus, with blood volume expanding and cardiac output increasing. To handle the higher demand, the heart rate rises, typically by about 10–20 beats per minute, making an increased heart rate the most consistent vital sign change you’d expect. Respiratory rate generally stays about the same, even though overall ventilation increases a bit because of hormonal effects and increased oxygen needs. Blood pressure often dips a bit in mid-pregnancy due to vasodilation and may return toward pre-pregnancy levels later on, so a decreased blood pressure is not a universal third-trimester finding. Fever is not part of the normal physiological changes of pregnancy.

In the third trimester, the cardiovascular system undergoes changes to support the growing fetus, with blood volume expanding and cardiac output increasing. To handle the higher demand, the heart rate rises, typically by about 10–20 beats per minute, making an increased heart rate the most consistent vital sign change you’d expect. Respiratory rate generally stays about the same, even though overall ventilation increases a bit because of hormonal effects and increased oxygen needs. Blood pressure often dips a bit in mid-pregnancy due to vasodilation and may return toward pre-pregnancy levels later on, so a decreased blood pressure is not a universal third-trimester finding. Fever is not part of the normal physiological changes of pregnancy.

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