A nurse on an antepartum unit is caring for four clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse identify as the priority?
- A. A client who has gestational diabetes and a fasting blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL (less than 95 mg/dL)
- B. A client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and reports epigastric pain
- C. A client who is at 28 weeks of gestation and has an Hgb of 10.4 g/dL (11 to 16 g/dL)
- D. A client who is at 39 weeks of gestation and reports urinary frequency and dysuria
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: A client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and reports epigastric pain. This client should be identified as the priority because epigastric pain in pregnancy can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition that requires immediate attention to prevent maternal and fetal complications. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, and it can lead to seizures (eclampsia) if not managed promptly. The other clients have issues that are important but not as urgent as potential preeclampsia. Client A's blood glucose level is elevated but not critically high, Client C's hemoglobin level is slightly low but not acutely life-threatening, and Client D's symptoms of urinary frequency and dysuria are common in late pregnancy and do not indicate a medical emergency.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse is teaching a client who is at 37 weeks of gestation and has a prescription for a nonstress test. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- A. The test should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
- B. You will lay in a supine position throughout the test.
- C. You should not eat or drink for 2 hours before the test.
- D. You should press the handheld button when you feel your baby move.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is D because pressing the handheld button when feeling the baby move helps monitor fetal heart rate and movements during the test. This action allows healthcare providers to assess the baby's well-being. Choice A is incorrect as the test duration varies. Choice B is wrong as the client should lay on their left side, not supine, to prevent compression of the vena cava. Choice C is incorrect as eating and drinking are not restricted before the test.
A nurse is obtaining a 2-hr postprandial blood glucose from a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Puncture the finger while still damp with antiseptic solution.
- B. Smear the blood onto the reagent strip.
- C. Hold the finger above the heart prior to puncture.
- D. Select the lateral side of the finger for puncture.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Select the lateral side of the finger for puncture. This choice is correct because the lateral side of the finger has fewer nerve endings, making it less painful for the client. It also minimizes the risk of injury to the client and provides an adequate blood sample for testing.
Explanation for other choices:
A: Puncturing the finger while still damp with antiseptic solution can dilute the blood sample, leading to inaccurate results.
B: Smearing the blood onto the reagent strip can cause contamination and inaccurate readings.
C: Holding the finger above the heart prior to puncture can lead to increased blood flow and affect the accuracy of the blood glucose reading.
A nurse is caring for a client who is 48 hr postpartum and has a deep vein thrombosis.
- A. Increased warmth in the extremity
- B. Tachycardia
- C. Leukocytosis
- D. Scant lochia rubra
- E. Decreased extremity edema
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Correct Answer:
Rationale:
1. Increased warmth in the extremity (Findings 24 hr later): Deep vein thrombosis can lead to increased warmth in the affected extremity due to inflammation.
2. Tachycardia (Indication of worsening condition): Tachycardia can indicate worsening condition or potential complications such as pulmonary embolism.
3. Leukocytosis (Indication of improving condition): Leukocytosis can indicate the body's response to infection or inflammation, which may be improving.
Other Choices:
D: Scant lochia rubra - Not relevant to the assessment of deep vein thrombosis.
E: Decreased extremity edema - Edema is not a typical finding associated with deep vein thrombosis.
A nurse is reviewing laboratory findings for a client who is at 20 weeks of gestation. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Hematocrit 37% (37% to 47%)
- B. Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL (0.5 to 1 mg/dL)
- C. WBC count 11,000/mm3 (5,000 to 10,000/mm3)
- D. Fasting blood glucose 180 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Fasting blood glucose 180 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL). During pregnancy, elevated blood glucose levels can indicate gestational diabetes, which can pose risks to both the mother and the fetus. A fasting blood glucose level of 180 mg/dL is significantly above the normal range of 74 to 106 mg/dL and warrants immediate attention from the healthcare provider to initiate appropriate management and monitoring.
Choice A (Hematocrit 37%): Falls within the normal range for a pregnant woman and does not raise immediate concerns.
Choice B (Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL): Within the normal range and not typically a cause for concern at this level.
Choice C (WBC count 11,000/mm3): Slightly elevated but can be a normal physiological response to pregnancy due to increased blood volume and does not necessarily indicate a problem.
In summary, the other choices do not indicate an urgent issue requiring immediate provider notification
Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to implement? For each potential nursing action, click to specify if the intervention is indicated or contraindicated for the newborn.
- A. Educate the parents to begin range of motion exercises on the affected arm after 1 week.
- B. Assess for grasp reflex in the affected extremity.
- C. Immobilize the arm across the abdomen by pinning the newborn's sleeve to their shirt.
- D. Instruct parents to limit physical handling for 2 weeks.
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Correct Answer:
Rationale:
- Educate the parents to begin range of motion exercises on the affected arm after 1 week is indicated as it promotes joint mobility.
- Assess for grasp reflex in the affected extremity is contraindicated as it can cause discomfort and potential harm.
- Immobilizing the arm across the abdomen is contraindicated as it can restrict circulation and hinder development.
- Instructing parents to limit physical handling for 2 weeks is indicated to prevent excessive stress on the affected arm.