A nurse is reinforcing teaching about safety precautions to take when driving a car with a client who is in the first trimester of pregnancy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A.
Place the shoulder harness across the gravid uterus.
B.
Move the seat as far away as possible from the steering wheel.
C.
Wear the lap belt high across the abdomen.
D.
Disable the vehicle’s driver-side airbags.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
B. Move the seat as far away as possible from the steering wheel.
Explanation:
During the first trimester of pregnancy, safety is a paramount concern for both the expectant mother and the developing fetus. When providing instructions about safe driving practices, several key points should be emphasized to ensure both comfort and safety.
- Positioning of the Seat: The recommendation to move the seat as far away as possible from the steering wheel is important because it helps to reduce the risk of injury from the deployment of the airbag in the event of a collision. As the abdomen begins to expand, moving the seat back allows for adequate distance between the driver and the steering wheel, minimizing the risk of injury from the airbag or steering wheel impact.
- Placement of Safety Belts: The lap belt should be worn low across the pelvis, not high across the abdomen. The lap belt should be placed under the belly, across the hip bones, which reduces the risk of injury to the fetus. The shoulder harness should be positioned between the breasts and over the shoulder, not across the abdomen. This positioning is recommended to avoid applying pressure directly on the gravid uterus.
- Airbags: Disabling the vehicle’s driver-side airbags is generally not recommended as it might compromise overall safety. Airbags are crucial in protecting occupants during a crash. The proper adjustment of the seat and the correct placement of safety belts should be the primary methods to ensure safety rather than disabling airbags.
- Overall Safety: The primary focus should be on ensuring that the seat and seatbelt are properly adjusted to accommodate the changes in the body during pregnancy while maintaining overall vehicle safety. Regularly checking and adjusting these settings can help in preventing injuries.
In summary, moving the seat away from the steering wheel is a key safety measure that helps to reduce the risk of injury from airbags and steering wheel impact, while ensuring proper use of seatbelts is crucial for the safety of both the mother and the fetus.