A pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation is experiencing mild back pain. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer pain relief and recommend bed rest.
- B. Assess the patient's posture and recommend appropriate exercises.
- C. Encourage the patient to perform light physical activities to strengthen the back muscles.
- D. Instruct the patient to take deep breaths and rest until the pain subsides.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because assessing the patient's posture and recommending appropriate exercises will help address the mild back pain effectively without compromising the safety of the pregnancy. By identifying any postural issues contributing to the pain and recommending suitable exercises, the nurse can promote musculoskeletal health and alleviate discomfort. Administering pain relief without addressing the underlying cause (choice A) may mask symptoms temporarily. Encouraging light physical activities (choice C) could worsen the pain if not tailored to the individual's needs. Instructing the patient to rest and take deep breaths (choice D) may not address the root cause of the back pain.
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What is true about dizygotic twins?
- A. Fertilized egg divided rapidly
- B. Two ova were expelled
- C. Share one placenta
- D. Same sex and blood type
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dizygotic twins result from the fertilization of two separate ova, leading to genetically distinct siblings.
A pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation reports difficulty breathing, especially when lying flat. What should the nurse recommend first?
- A. Administer oxygen and prepare the patient for delivery.
- B. Instruct the patient to lie on her left side to reduce pressure on the diaphragm.
- C. Encourage the patient to rest in an upright position and monitor symptoms.
- D. Instruct the patient to take deep breaths and elevate the legs.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because encouraging the patient to rest in an upright position helps improve lung expansion and oxygenation, relieving the difficulty in breathing. By monitoring symptoms, the nurse can assess for any worsening signs or the need for further intervention.
A: Administering oxygen and preparing for delivery is premature without assessing the patient further.
B: Lying on the left side may alleviate pressure on the diaphragm but does not address the underlying cause of difficulty breathing.
D: Instructing to take deep breaths and elevate legs may not be beneficial and could potentially worsen the symptoms.
An 18-week gestation client telephones the obstetrician’s office stating, 'I’m really scared. I think I have breast cancer. My breasts are filled with tumors.' The nurse should base the response on which of the following?
- A. Breast cancer is often triggered by pregnancy.
- B. Nodular breast tissue is normal during pregnancy.
- C. The woman is exhibiting signs of a psychotic break.
- D. Anxiety attacks are especially common in the second trimester.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nodular breast tissue is a normal change during pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations. Breast cancer is not typically triggered by pregnancy, and anxiety attacks are not specifically common in the second trimester.
A pregnant woman must have a glucose challenge test (GCT). Which of the following should be included in the preprocedure teaching?
- A. Fast for 12 hours before the test.
- B. Bring a urine specimen to the laboratory on the day of the test.
- C. Be prepared to have 4 blood specimens taken on the day of the test.
- D. The test should take one hour to complete.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The glucose challenge test typically takes one hour to complete and does not require fasting or multiple blood specimens. A urine specimen is not required for this test.
A 34-week pregnant woman presents with a non-reactive nonstress test (NST). What should the nurse do next?
- A. Administer a tocolytic agent
- B. Perform a biophysical profile (BPP)
- C. Monitor the fetal heart rate for 30 minutes
- D. Monitor fetal heart rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Perform a biophysical profile (BPP). A non-reactive NST indicates fetal distress, so a BPP is necessary to assess the overall well-being of the fetus. BPP evaluates fetal breathing movements, fetal movements, fetal tone, amniotic fluid volume, and NST results. Administering a tocolytic agent (A) is not indicated as the issue is fetal distress, not preterm labor. Monitoring the fetal heart rate for 30 minutes (C) may delay necessary intervention if fetal distress is present. Monitoring fetal heart rate (D) alone does not provide a comprehensive assessment of fetal well-being.