RN Exam Practice
Reduction of Risk PotentialQuestion 1015 of 2368

A pregnant client reports sudden, acute shortness of breath. Which action is most appropriate?

  1. Teach the client to sleep upright with several pillows and rest more during the day.
  2. Explain that the diaphragm rises during pregnancy, so the symptom is normal and expected.
  3. Report to the provider or have the client obtain emergency care for a possible pulmonary embolism.
  4. Recommend improving posture and doing breathing exercises, then reassess in one week.
Show answer

Correct answer: Report to the provider or have the client obtain emergency care for a possible pulmonary embolism.

Gradual breathlessness is expected, but sudden acute shortness of breath may be a pulmonary embolism and needs urgent care.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Antepartum Care: Shortness of Breath. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Reduction of Risk Potential"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026