A nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is at 20 weeks gestation and reports experiencing leg cramps. What is the nurse's most appropriate intervention?
- A. Recommend taking calcium supplements to relieve leg cramps.
- B. Encourage the patient to elevate the legs and perform leg stretches.
- C. Instruct the patient to rest and avoid any physical activity.
- D. Administer pain medication as needed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because elevating the legs and performing leg stretches can help improve circulation and relieve leg cramps during pregnancy. This intervention promotes blood flow and prevents muscle fatigue. Calcium supplements (choice A) may be helpful for preventing leg cramps in some cases but are not the first-line intervention. Instructing the patient to rest (choice C) may worsen leg cramps due to decreased circulation. Administering pain medication (choice D) should be avoided unless necessary, as it does not address the root cause of the leg cramps.
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Which aspect of fetal diagnostic testing is most important to expectant parents?
- A. Safety of the fetus
- B. Duration of the test
- C. Cost of the procedure
- D. Physical discomfort caused by the procedure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Expectant parents are usually most concerned about the safety of the fetus when undergoing diagnostic testing.
Which spice is safe for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy?
- A. Ginger
- B. Sage
- C. Cloves
- D. Nutmeg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ginger is widely recognized as a safe and effective complementary therapy for managing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
The nurse is educating a pregnant patient about the symptoms of preterm labor. Which of the following symptoms should the nurse advise the patient to report immediately?
- A. Occasional low back pain and cramping
- B. Increased vaginal discharge
- C. Painful, regular contractions every 10 minutes or less
- D. Feeling of pelvic pressure after physical activity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Painful, regular contractions every 10 minutes or less can indicate preterm labor.
2. Regular contractions are a sign of the uterus preparing for birth.
3. Painful contractions at regular intervals can progress quickly to preterm delivery.
4. Reporting this symptom immediately allows for timely intervention to prevent premature birth.
Summary:
A: Low back pain and cramping are common in pregnancy but not necessarily indicative of preterm labor.
B: Increased vaginal discharge may be normal in pregnancy and not a direct sign of preterm labor.
C: Painful, regular contractions every 10 minutes or less are a critical sign of preterm labor.
D: Feeling pelvic pressure after physical activity is common in late pregnancy and not specific to preterm labor.
A woman in labor is receiving magnesium sulfate for preterm labor. What should the nurse monitor closely during this treatment?
- A. Deep tendon reflexes
- B. Respiratory rate
- C. Maternal blood pressure
- D. Fetal heart rate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Deep tendon reflexes. Magnesium sulfate can cause muscle weakness and respiratory depression due to its effect on the central nervous system. Monitoring deep tendon reflexes helps assess for magnesium toxicity. Respiratory rate (B) should also be monitored, but it is not the most critical parameter for magnesium sulfate. Maternal blood pressure (C) is important, but changes are usually gradual and not directly related to magnesium sulfate. Fetal heart rate (D) is crucial, but in this case, the focus should be on the mother's response to the medication.
A patient with a history of hypertension is admitted to the labor and delivery unit. Which of the following is most important to monitor for during labor?
- A. Hypotension
- B. Precipitous delivery
- C. Preeclampsia
- D. Increased bleeding risk
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, which can lead to complications for both the mother and baby during labor. Monitoring for signs of preeclampsia is crucial to ensure timely intervention and prevent adverse outcomes.
A: Hypotension is not typically a major concern in a patient with a history of hypertension during labor.
B: Precipitous delivery refers to an unusually fast labor, which can be managed but is not the most important issue to monitor for in this case.
D: Increased bleeding risk may be a concern, but preeclampsia poses a more immediate threat to the patient's health and requires closer monitoring.