What should the nurse do for a pregnant woman exhibiting symptoms of dysuria, frequency, and urgency?

When a pregnant woman presents with symptoms such as dysuria, frequency, and urgency, obtaining a clean-catch urine sample for analysis is essential to assess for a urinary tract infection (UTI). These symptoms are often indicative of a UTI, which is more common during pregnancy due to physiological changes and the pressure of the enlarging uterus on the bladder. Identifying this infection through urine analysis allows for appropriate treatment to prevent complications, such as ascending infections that might affect both the mother and the fetus.

The other options, while they may seem relevant at first glance, do not address the immediate concern of a potential infection. Assuring the patient that these symptoms are normal in the third trimester may dismiss a significant health issue that requires intervention. Teaching the patient to decrease fluid intake can exacerbate the situation by concentrating the urine, potentially worsening dysuria and increasing the risk of a UTI. Lastly, performing a Leopold's maneuver is not directly related to addressing the symptoms of dysuria and would not provide any diagnostic information about a urinary infection. Therefore, obtaining a clean-catch urine specimen is the most appropriate and critical action in this scenario.