What is a common change in blood pressure that a nurse should monitor during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, it is common for blood pressure to experience a decrease during the first and second trimesters due to the physiological changes that occur, primarily related to the increased blood volume and hormonal adjustments. However, as pregnancy progresses into the third trimester, a nurse should monitor for any significant increase in blood pressure beyond the normal range.

An increase in blood pressure can signal potential complications such as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, which are serious conditions that require immediate attention. Therefore, monitoring for any increase in blood pressure is crucial in ensuring the health of both the mother and the developing fetus. This vigilance helps in early identification of complications, thereby facilitating timely interventions.

Understanding that some fluctuations in blood pressure are normal is important, but significant deviations, particularly increases, warrant careful monitoring and evaluation.