Which statement describes a maternal effect of cocaine use?

Which statement describes a maternal effect of cocaine use?

• A. Profuse sweating and dilated pupils
• B. Hypotension
• C. Sedation
• D. Weight gain

Answer: (A)

Cocaine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, so acute maternal effects include signs of increased adrenergic activity. Profuse sweating and dilated pupils reflect this heightened sympathetic state and are classic physical signs you’d expect to see in a pregnant patient using cocaine. The other options don’t fit because cocaine’s stimulatory effects raise blood pressure (not cause hypotension), do not produce sedation (that would be a depressant effect), and weight changes from cocaine use are typically weight loss from appetite suppression rather than weight gain.

Cocaine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, so acute maternal effects include signs of increased adrenergic activity. Profuse sweating and dilated pupils reflect this heightened sympathetic state and are classic physical signs you’d expect to see in a pregnant patient using cocaine. The other options don’t fit because cocaine’s stimulatory effects raise blood pressure (not cause hypotension), do not produce sedation (that would be a depressant effect), and weight changes from cocaine use are typically weight loss from appetite suppression rather than weight gain.