A pregnant client continues to visit the clinic regularly during her pregnancy. During one of her visits while lying supine on the examining table, she tells the RN that she is becoming light-headed. The RN notices that the client has pallor in her face and is perspiring profusely. The first intervention the RN should initiate is to:

This position would cause the gravid uterus to bear the increased pressure of the vena cava, which could lead to maternal hypotension, in turn causing the client to continue to have pallor and to feel light-headed. This would not be the first intervention the RN should initiate. The RN should understand the supine position and its effect on the gravid uterus and vena cava. The RN's first intervention should be one that helps to alleviate the client's symptoms. Obtaining her vital signs will not alleviate her symptoms. This would move the gravid uterus off of the client's vena cava, which would alleviate the maternal hypotension that is the cause of her symptoms.