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The nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is 24 weeks gestation and has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
- B. Encourage the patient to drink cranberry juice.
- C. Provide education about the signs of preterm labor.
- D. Schedule a follow-up ultrasound to assess fetal health.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer antibiotics as prescribed. The priority is to treat the UTI to prevent potential harm to the patient and fetus. Antibiotics are necessary to eliminate the infection and reduce the risk of complications. Encouraging cranberry juice (B) may be beneficial for prevention but is not sufficient to treat an existing UTI. Providing education about preterm labor signs (C) is important but addressing the infection is the immediate concern. Scheduling a follow-up ultrasound (D) may be necessary later but does not address the urgent need to treat the UTI.
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Which of the following vital sign changes should the nurse highlight for a pregnant woman’s obstetrician?
- A. Prepregnancy blood pressure (BP) 100/60 and third trimester BP 140/90.
- B. Prepregnancy respiratory rate (RR) 16 rpm and third trimester RR 22 rpm.
- C. Prepregnancy heart rate (HR) 76 bpm and third trimester HR 88 bpm.
- D. Prepregnancy temperature (T) 98.6°F and third trimester T 99.2°F.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A significant increase in blood pressure, particularly to 140/90, could indicate preeclampsia and should be highlighted for further evaluation. The other changes are within normal limits for pregnancy.
The nurse is providing education to a pregnant patient who is experiencing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend?
- A. Increase fluid intake with large amounts of water at once.
- B. Eat small, frequent meals and avoid greasy foods.
- C. Take over-the-counter anti-nausea medications without consulting a doctor.
- D. Lie flat on your back immediately after eating to prevent reflux.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because eating small, frequent meals and avoiding greasy foods can help manage nausea and vomiting during pregnancy by preventing the stomach from becoming too full or empty. Large amounts of water at once (choice A) can worsen nausea. Taking anti-nausea medications without consulting a doctor (choice C) can be unsafe during pregnancy. Lying flat on your back after eating (choice D) can increase the risk of acid reflux.
A pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation reports a sudden headache and blurred vision. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Assess the patient's blood pressure and check for signs of preeclampsia.
- B. Administer pain medication and advise the patient to rest.
- C. Encourage the patient to drink fluids and take deep breaths.
- D. Perform a visual acuity test and schedule a follow-up appointment.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess the patient's blood pressure and check for signs of preeclampsia. This is the priority action because sudden headache and blurred vision are symptoms of preeclampsia, a serious condition in pregnancy. Step 1: Assessing blood pressure is crucial to identify hypertension, a hallmark of preeclampsia. Step 2: Checking for other signs of preeclampsia, such as proteinuria and edema, helps confirm the diagnosis. Step 3: Prompt intervention is necessary to prevent complications for both the mother and the baby. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the potential life-threatening condition of preeclampsia and may delay appropriate treatment.
Why is pregnancy planning important for women of childbearing age?
- A. Much organogenesis occurs before the missed period
- B. Insurance preapproval is required
- C. No more than 3 pregnancies are recommended
- D. Pregnancies less than 2 years apart stress the cardiovascular system
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Organogenesis occurs early in pregnancy, often before a missed period, making early intervention critical for fetal health.
A pregnant patient who is 28 weeks gestation reports a sudden headache and visual changes. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Encourage the patient to take a warm bath to relieve the headache.
- B. Assess the patient's blood pressure and check for signs of preeclampsia.
- C. Administer pain medication to relieve the headache.
- D. Instruct the patient to rest in a dark, quiet room to relieve symptoms.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Assess the patient's blood pressure and check for signs of preeclampsia. This is the priority action because sudden headache and visual changes in a pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation could indicate preeclampsia, a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage. Checking blood pressure and signs of preeclampsia is crucial for early detection and prompt management to prevent complications for both the mother and baby. Encouraging a warm bath, administering pain medication, or instructing the patient to rest may provide temporary relief but do not address the underlying cause of the symptoms.