What should be the nurse’s immediate action when a patient feels dizzy at 35 weeks gestation?

At 35 weeks of gestation, it is common for pregnant individuals to experience dizziness due to various factors, including changes in blood volume, blood pressure, and the growing uterus placing pressure on blood vessels. When a patient reports feeling dizzy, the most immediate action is to assist her into a side-lying position.

Positioning the patient in a side-lying position, particularly on the left side, can help improve blood circulation. This position reduces pressure on the inferior vena cava, a major blood vessel that returns blood from the lower body to the heart. By alleviating this pressure, blood flow to the heart and, subsequently, to the fetus is enhanced, addressing the symptom of dizziness more effectively.

Other options, although potentially relevant, do not prioritize the immediate need for improving blood flow as effectively as positioning does. Administering oxygen could be considered if there are signs of further complications or decreased oxygenation, but dizziness alone may not warrant this action. Encouraging deep breathing may help in certain situations, but it does not directly address the underlying issue of reduced blood flow that often causes dizziness in pregnancy. Providing a snack can be beneficial in cases of low blood sugar, but dizziness at this stage is more commonly linked to positional changes than to dietary factors