Pregnancy affects a woman’s oxygenation needs primarily because of: 1

Pregnancy affects a woman’s oxygenation needs primarily because of:

1. The increased metabolic demands required to support the fetus
2. The increased tendency to develop anemia as a result of low iron reserves
3. The decreased ability to engage in the physical exercise required to promote cir-culation
4. The decreased lung capacity resulting from the pressure of the uterus on the dia-phragm

ANSWER

ANS: 1
Increased metabolic demands, such as pregnancy or fever and infection, affect a client’s oxy-gen-carrying capacity (of the blood). The remaining options can affect respiratory function but are not the primary cause of increased oxygenation requirements.