Which question should the nurse ask to assess signs of early pregnancy?

To assess signs of early pregnancy, inquiring about breast tenderness is particularly relevant. This symptom is one of the early changes that many women experience due to hormonal fluctuations following conception. The presence of tenderness in the breasts is commonly associated with increased estrogen and progesterone levels, which prepare the body's tissues for potential breastfeeding and changes associated with pregnancy.

While mood swings, changes in appetite, and fatigue can also be related to early pregnancy, they are less specific and not as commonly emphasized in clinical assessments for pregnancy confirmation. Breast tenderness is a more direct indicator that aligns closely with physiological changes occurring in the early stages of pregnancy, making it a key question for a nurse to ask when evaluating a patient for possible pregnancy.