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A pregnant patient is asking about the risks of smoking during pregnancy. Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
- A. Smoking during pregnancy is safe if you don't have other complications.
- B. Smoking increases the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental delays.
- C. It's okay to smoke in moderation during pregnancy as long as you quit before delivery.
- D. Smoking only affects the mother, not the baby.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of adverse outcomes such as premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental delays. Nicotine and other harmful chemicals in cigarettes can restrict oxygen and nutrients to the baby, leading to these complications. Choice A is incorrect as smoking is never safe during pregnancy. Choice C is incorrect as any amount of smoking during pregnancy is harmful. Choice D is incorrect as smoking affects both the mother and the baby due to the harmful substances passing through the placenta.
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The nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is 30 weeks gestation and reports feeling faint and lightheaded. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?
- A. Instruct the patient to lie on her back to improve circulation.
- B. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and sit down immediately.
- C. Instruct the patient to stand up slowly and rest for 10 minutes.
- D. Ask the patient to eat something sweet to raise her blood sugar.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and sit down immediately. This action is appropriate because the patient is experiencing symptoms of hypotension, which can lead to decreased blood flow to the brain causing faintness and lightheadedness. By encouraging the patient to take deep breaths and sit down immediately, the nurse is helping to increase oxygen intake and improve circulation, which can alleviate the symptoms.
Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect:
A: Instructing the patient to lie on her back can actually worsen symptoms as it can lead to a decrease in blood flow to the brain.
C: Instructing the patient to stand up slowly is not appropriate as the patient is already feeling faint and lightheaded. This can increase the risk of falling and injury.
D: Asking the patient to eat something sweet may not address the underlying cause of the symptoms, which is likely related to hypotension. It is important to address the immediate
A nurse is caring for a pregnant patient at 34 weeks gestation who has been diagnosed with gestational hypertension. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Encourage the patient to rest and increase fluid intake.
- B. Monitor the patient's blood pressure regularly and assess for signs of preeclampsia.
- C. Administer antihypertensive medications as prescribed.
- D. Instruct the patient to lie on her back to relieve pressure on the uterus.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor the patient's blood pressure regularly and assess for signs of preeclampsia. At 34 weeks gestation with gestational hypertension, monitoring blood pressure and assessing for signs of preeclampsia are crucial to detect any worsening condition. Preeclampsia is a serious complication of gestational hypertension that can lead to adverse outcomes for both the mother and fetus. Regular monitoring allows for timely intervention if necessary.
Choice A is incorrect because simply encouraging rest and increased fluid intake may not address the potential severity of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.
Choice C is incorrect because administering antihypertensive medications without proper monitoring and assessment can be harmful to the patient and fetus.
Choice D is incorrect because lying on her back can actually worsen the patient's condition by decreasing blood flow to the uterus.
A nurse is caring for a laboring person who is experiencing fetal bradycardia. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. administer oxygen
- B. administer IV fluids
- C. increase maternal hydration
- D. increase maternal oxygen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: administer oxygen. Fetal bradycardia indicates decreased oxygen supply to the fetus, which can lead to fetal distress. Administering oxygen helps improve oxygen levels in the mother's blood, increasing oxygen delivery to the fetus. This intervention is crucial in preventing further complications and ensuring the well-being of the baby. Administering IV fluids (B) and increasing maternal hydration (C) may be beneficial but do not directly address the immediate need for oxygen. Increasing maternal oxygen (D) is redundant since the primary focus should be on fetal oxygenation.
A woman in labor requests an epidural. What should the nurse assess before administering the epidural?
- A. Cervical dilation
- B. Maternal blood pressure
- C. Fetal heart rate
- D. Maternal temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maternal blood pressure. Before administering an epidural, it is crucial to assess the maternal blood pressure to ensure it is within the normal range. Hypotension can occur as a common side effect of epidural anesthesia, which can lead to decreased placental perfusion and compromise fetal oxygenation. Assessing maternal blood pressure helps in preventing potential complications.
Incorrect choices:
A: Cervical dilation - Not directly related to the administration of an epidural.
C: Fetal heart rate - Important but not the immediate assessment needed before administering an epidural.
D: Maternal temperature - While it is important in general assessment, it is not specifically required before giving an epidural.
A pregnant patient is 26 weeks gestation and reports difficulty breathing when lying flat. What should the nurse recommend?
- A. Encourage the patient to sleep on the left side to improve circulation and reduce pressure on the diaphragm.
- B. Recommend sleeping in a fully reclined position to prevent shortness of breath.
- C. Administer oxygen as prescribed to ensure proper oxygenation.
- D. Instruct the patient to lie flat on her back and use a pillow for support.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Encourage the patient to sleep on the left side to improve circulation and reduce pressure on the diaphragm. At 26 weeks gestation, the uterus can compress the inferior vena cava when lying flat on the back, leading to decreased blood return to the heart and reduced cardiac output, causing difficulty breathing. Sleeping on the left side helps improve circulation by reducing pressure on the vena cava, enhancing blood flow and oxygenation to the fetus and mother.
Incorrect options:
B: Recommending sleeping in a fully reclined position may not alleviate the compression on the vena cava and could potentially worsen the patient's symptoms.
C: Administering oxygen may help with oxygenation but does not address the underlying issue of vena cava compression due to the growing uterus.
D: Instructing the patient to lie flat on her back can exacerbate the issue by further compressing the vena cava, worsening breathing difficulties.