Maternal Fetal Monitoring Related

Review Maternal Fetal Monitoring related questions and content

A nurse is assessing a 36-week pregnant patient who is complaining of sudden and severe headaches. What is the nurse's priority action?

  • A. Encourage the patient to take a warm shower and rest.
  • 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 drink more water to stay hydrated.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the patient's blood pressure and check for signs of preeclampsia. Sudden and severe headaches in a pregnant patient could indicate preeclampsia, a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure. The nurse's priority is to assess for signs of preeclampsia to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby. Encouraging rest or a warm shower, administering pain medication, or advising hydration do not address the potential underlying issue of preeclampsia and could delay necessary medical intervention.