A 30-year-old woman at 33 weeks gestation has a hemoglobin value of 11.2 g/dL. How should the clinic nurse interpret this finding?

The hemoglobin value of 11.2 g/dL in a 30-year-old woman at 33 weeks of gestation is consistent with expected normal pregnancy values for the third trimester. During pregnancy, particularly as a woman progresses into the third trimester, physiological changes occur, including hemodilution. This means that the plasma volume increases significantly, which can lead to lower hemoglobin concentrations than those typically seen in non-pregnant adults.

Normal pregnancy hemoglobin levels generally range from 11 to 12 g/dL in the third trimester, and a value of 11.2 g/dL falls within this range. Therefore, interpreting this hemoglobin level as normal for pregnancy in the third trimester acknowledges these physiological alterations and provides a context that is specific to the maternal and fetal needs during this stage of gestation.

In contrast, adult normal values for hemoglobin are higher, typically ranging from 12 to 15.5 g/dL. Since the question pertains to the pregnant population, relying on these standard adult values would not account for the unique changes that occur during pregnancy. Thus, understanding the physiological adaptation in this context is critical to evaluating maternal health and fetal well-being.