External Maternal Monitoring Related

Review External Maternal Monitoring related questions and content

A pregnant patient is at 24 weeks gestation and reports occasional cramping and lower abdominal discomfort. What should the nurse do first?

  • A. Assess for signs of preterm labor and monitor the patient for regular contractions.
  • B. Administer pain medications and encourage the patient to rest.
  • C. Perform a pelvic exam to assess for cervical changes.
  • D. Instruct the patient to increase fluid intake and monitor the symptoms.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess for signs of preterm labor and monitor the patient for regular contractions. This is the most appropriate action as the patient is experiencing cramping and lower abdominal discomfort, which could indicate preterm labor. Step 1: Assessing for signs of preterm labor, such as regular contractions, is crucial to determine the patient's condition. Step 2: Monitoring the patient for regular contractions helps in identifying any patterns and assessing the progression of labor. Other choices are incorrect as B: Administering pain medications without assessing for preterm labor can mask important indicators. C: Performing a pelvic exam may increase the risk of infection and is not the priority. D: Instructing the patient to increase fluid intake may not address the potential risk of preterm labor.