Which instruction should a nurse provide to reduce breast tenderness in a pregnant client?

To reduce breast tenderness during pregnancy, advising the client to wash the breasts with warm water and keep them dry is beneficial for several reasons. Maintaining cleanliness helps prevent irritation and infections, which may exacerbate discomfort. Warm water can be soothing and can help increase blood flow to the area, promoting relaxation and reducing tightness or soreness.

Keeping the breasts dry is important as moisture can lead to various skin issues or infections, particularly in the sensitive breast tissue during pregnancy. This approach encourages a healthy environment for the skin, while also addressing the discomfort associated with breast tenderness.

While other options may present various methods of managing discomfort, washing with warm water and ensuring dryness supports hygiene and comfort effectively, making it the most suitable recommendation in this scenario.