What should a nurse do when a client reports faintness upon rising during pregnancy?

When a client reports faintness upon rising during pregnancy, assessing for potential orthostatic hypotension is the most appropriate action. Orthostatic hypotension occurs when a person experiences a drop in blood pressure upon standing, leading to symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.

During pregnancy, hormonal changes and the increased demand on the circulatory system can contribute to this condition. Assessing for orthostatic hypotension involves having the client change positions from lying to sitting to standing while monitoring their blood pressure and pulse. This assessment can help the nurse determine if the faintness is indeed due to a drop in blood pressure or if there may be another cause requiring further investigation.

The other options may not address the root cause of the client's symptoms effectively. For instance, administering salt tablets could potentially raise blood volume but is not an immediate or measured approach to assessing the situation. Encouraging rest is useful but does not solve the underlying issue of dizziness when standing. Instructing the client to avoid standing up might prevent faintness temporarily but does not provide the needed assessment or intervention to manage the condition in the long run.