Nokea
The nurse is educating a pregnant client about common discomforts during the third trimester. Which statement by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. Perform pelvic-tilt exercises.
- B. Eat crackers prior to getting out of bed in the morning.
- C. Use humidifiers or saline nose drops.
- D. Wear a supportive bra.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Perform pelvic-tilt exercises. Pelvic-tilt exercises help alleviate back pain common in the third trimester by strengthening abdominal muscles and reducing strain on the lower back. This is appropriate for addressing discomforts during pregnancy.
B: Eating crackers before getting out of bed helps with morning sickness, not third-trimester discomforts.
C: Using humidifiers or saline nose drops is more related to nasal congestion, not common discomforts in the third trimester.
D: Wearing a supportive bra is important during pregnancy but does not directly address common discomforts in the third trimester.
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To reassure and educate pregnant patients about changes in their cardiovascular system, maternity nurses should be aware that:
- A. a pregnant woman experiencing disturbed cardiac rhythm, such as sinus arrhythmia requires close medical and obstetric observation, no matter how healthy she otherwise may appear.
- B. changes in heart size and position and increases in blood volume create auditory changes from 20 weeks to term.
- C. palpitations are twice as likely to occur in twin gestations.
- D. all of the above changes will likely occur.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Auscultatory changes should be discernible after 20 weeks of gestation.
To reassure and educate pregnant patients about changes in the uterus, nurses should be aware that:
- A. lightening occurs near the end of the second trimester as the uterus rises into a different position.
- B. the woman's increased urinary frequency in the first trimester is the result of exaggerated uterine anteflexion caused by softening.
- C. Braxton Hicks contractions become more painful in the third trimester,
particularly if the woman tries to exercise - D. the uterine souffle is the movement of the fetus.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Increased urinary frequency in the first trimester is due to exaggerated uterine anteflexion caused by softening. This is because the growing uterus exerts pressure on the bladder, leading to the need for more frequent urination. This is a common physiological change in early pregnancy due to the hormonal effects on the pelvic floor muscles and bladder capacity.
A: Lightening typically occurs near the end of the third trimester, not the second trimester, as the baby drops lower into the pelvis in preparation for birth.
C: Braxton Hicks contractions are typically painless and irregular in the third trimester, not more painful. Pain with exercise could indicate preterm labor.
D: Uterine souffle refers to the sound of blood flow through the uterine arteries, not movement of the fetus.
While providing education to a primiparous patient regarding the normal changes of pregnancy, what is an important information for the nurse to share regarding Braxton Hicks contractions?
- A. These contractions may indicate preterm labor.
- B. These are contractions that never cause any discomfort.
- C. Braxton Hicks contractions only start during the third trimester.
- D. These occur throughout pregnancy, but you may not feel them until the third trimester.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because Braxton Hicks contractions can occur throughout pregnancy but may not be felt until the third trimester. This is important to inform the patient because it helps differentiate them from true labor contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions are usually irregular, mild, and do not lead to cervical changes. Choice A is incorrect because Braxton Hicks contractions are not a definitive sign of preterm labor. Choice B is incorrect as Braxton Hicks contractions can cause discomfort for some women. Choice C is incorrect because Braxton Hicks contractions can start as early as the second trimester.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is an important biochemical marker for pregnancy and the basis for many tests. A maternity nurse should be aware that:
- A. hCG can be detected 2.5 weeks after conception
- B. the hCG level increases gradually and uniformly throughout pregnancy
- C. much lower than normal increases in the level of hCG may indicate a postdate pregnancy
- D. a higher than normal level of hCG may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or Down syndrome
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Higher hCG levels may indicate conditions such as multiple gestation, ectopic pregnancy, or Down syndrome. hCG levels fluctuate during pregnancy and peak around 8-10 weeks.
The scrotum is:
- A. A sac-like organ made of skin and muscles that houses the testes
- B. The external urethral orifice located at the tip of the penis
- C. The male gonads responsible for the production of sperm and testosterone
- D. A walnut-sized exocrine gland that borders the inferior end of the urinary bladder and surrounds the urethra
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The scrotum is a pouch of skin and muscle that protects and regulates the temperature of the testes.