Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification 2025 Practice Exam – The All-in-One Guide for Guaranteed Success!

The left lateral recumbent position is the optimal choice for a patient with worsening preeclampsia due to the physiological effects on blood flow and fetal well-being. In this position, the compression of the inferior vena cava is minimized, which improves venous return to the heart and subsequently enhances cardiac output. This position also promotes better placental perfusion, which is crucial for both maternal and fetal health.

In cases of preeclampsia, avoiding the supine position is important as this can lead to reduced blood flow to the placenta and may exacerbate hypertension. The right lateral position, while better than supine, does not provide the same benefit as the left lateral because it may still allow some compression of major blood vessels. Sitting up at 90 degrees may help alleviate some symptoms like shortness of breath but does not optimize blood flow and could lead to increased pressure on the abdomen, which is not ideal in this context. Therefore, the left lateral recumbent position is the preferred position to help manage the condition effectively.