The client at 31 weeks’ gestation is diagnosed with mild preeclampsia and placed on home management. What information should the nurse include when providing home management instructions? Select all that apply.
- A. “Plan for hospitalization when nearing 36 weeks’ gestation.”
- B. “Weigh daily and inform the HCP of a sudden increase in weight.”
- C. “Home care will be consulted to take your blood pressure (BP) daily.”
- D. “Perform stretching and range-of-motion exercises twice daily.”
- E. “Rest as much as possible, especially in the lateral recumbent position.”
Correct Answer: B,D,E
Rationale: A sudden weight gain could indicate that the mild preeclampsia is uncontrolled and the client is retaining fluid. The HCP should be consulted. Stretching and ROM exercises can help prevent thrombophlebitis and venous stasis. The lateral recumbent position improves uteroplacental blood flow, reduces maternal BP, and promotes diuresis. A diagnosis of mild preeclampsia does not require hospitalization during the antepartum period unless home management fails to reduce the client’s BP, or other complications occur. BP monitoring every 4 to 6 hours is recommended for the client with mild preeclampsia, but the BP can be taken by the client and does not require a consult with home care.
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Which statement by the client indicates a need for additional teaching regarding chlamydial infection?
- A. My sex partner(s) will require treatment as well.
- B. I will have to have a cesarean birth to protect my baby.
- C. The physician will treat the infection with an antibiotic.
- D. My Pap smear results may show abnormal cells.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chlamydia does not typically require a cesarean birth; antibiotics treat the infection, and partners need treatment to prevent reinfection.
The client on the labor unit has been experiencing frequent, painful contractions for the last 6 hours. The contractions are of poor quality, and there has been no cervical change. Which interventions should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.
- A. Maintain bed rest
- B. Administer a sedative
- C. Administer an analgesic
- D. Prepare for cesarean delivery
- E. Prepare to start oxytocin
Correct Answer: A,B,C,E
Rationale: This client is experiencing a hypertonic labor pattern in which her contractions are frequent and painful, but no cervical change has occurred. This client should be encouraged to rest often. A sedative should be given to assist the client to rest. Because the contractions are painful, an analgesic should be administered to help the client relax and cope more effectively. If the hypertonic labor pattern continues, augmentation should be initiated with either an oxytocin infusion or amniotomy. A cesarean birth is not a treatment for a hypertonic labor pattern unless a nonreassuring FHR pattern is present.
The client admitted in preterm labor is told that an amniocentesis needs to be performed. The client asks the nurse why this is necessary when the HCP has been performing ultrasounds throughout the pregnancy. Which is an appropriate response by the nurse?
- A. “Your baby is older now, and an amniocentesis provides us with more information on how your baby is doing.”
- B. “An amniocentesis could not be Performed before 32 weeks, so you will be having this test from now until delivery.”
- C. “Your doctor wants to make sure that there are no problems with the baby that an ultrasound might not be able to identify.”
- D. “With your preterm labor your doctor needs to know your baby’s lung maturity; this is best identified by amniocentesis.”
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The amniocentesis is being performed to determine fetal lung maturity. Once fetal lung maturity is determined, appropriate care can be planned, including administration of betamethasone, administration of tocolytics, or delivery of the baby. While an amniocentesis can provide fetal information that an ultrasound cannot, the rationale for the amniocentesis is to determine lung maturity. Stating additional information is too broad. An amniocentesis can be performed as early as 12 weeks’ gestation, not after 32 weeks. The amniocentesis is not being performed to identify fetal anomalies.
When teaching the class about varicose veins, which symptom should the nurse instruct clients to report immediately?
- A. The appearance of additional varicose veins
- B. Varicose veins that are purple in color
- C. Legs that begin to ache and feel heavy
- D. Calves that become red, tender, and warm
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Red, tender, warm calves may indicate deep vein thrombosis, a serious condition requiring immediate reporting.
Using Naegele's Rule, the nurse can assume the client's expected delivery date to be approximately which date?
- A. 13-Nov
- B. 23-Nov
- C. 3-Dec
- D. 20-Dec
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele's Rule: Subtract 3 months from the first day of the last menstrual period (March 13) and add 7 days, resulting in December 3.