The client at 32 weeks’ gestation presents to a hospital with a severe headache. Her admission BP is 184/104 mm Hg. Based on the assessment and findings of the serum laboratory report, which most severe complication warrants the nurse’s further assessment?
- A. Renal failure
- B. Liver failure
- C. Preeclampsia
- D. HELLP syndrome
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: It is most important for the nurse to further assess for HELLP syndrome, a variation of pregnancy-induced hypertension characterized by hemolysis (elevated bilirubin), elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. The laboratory results do not show the serum creatinine level, so no inferences can be made about renal failure. Although liver enzymes are elevated, HELLP syndrome is a more severe complication associated with pregnancy. Preeclampsia commonly coexists with HELLP syndrome; however, these laboratory findings show worsening symptoms that are associated with HELLP syndrome.
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Which response by the nurse is most relevant when another participant talks about having recurrent mood swings?
- A. Try to avoid fatigue and decrease your stress.
- B. You need to be assessed for a possible mood disorder.
- C. Mood swings are caused by increased blood volume.
- D. Are you ambivalent about the pregnancy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Avoiding fatigue and stress helps manage mood swings, which are common due to hormonal changes in pregnancy.
The nurse is caring for the 24-year-old client whose pregnancy history is as follows: elective termination age 18 years, spontaneous abortion age 21 years, term vaginal delivery at 22 years old, and currently pregnant again. Which documentation by the nurse of the client’s gravidity and parity is correct?
- A. G4P1
- B. G4P2
- C. G3P1
- D. G2P1
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client has been pregnant four times in all (gravidity). This client has delivered once (parity) and is currently pregnant, so the parity is 1. Although the client has been pregnant four times in all (gravidity), she would have had to deliver two fetuses over 20 weeks old, regardless of whether either fetus survived. The client has been pregnant four times in all, not three (gravidity). Parity of 1 is correct. The client has been pregnant four times in all, not two times (gravidity). Parity of 1 is correct.
The postpartum client suffered a fourth-degree perineal laceration during her vaginal birth. Which interventions should the nurse add to the client’s plan of care? Select all that apply.
- A. Limit ambulation to bathroom privileges only.
- B. Decrease fluid intake to 1000 mL every 24 hours.
- C. Instruct the client on a high-fiber diet.
- D. Monitor the uterus for firmness every 2 hours.
- E. Give pm prescribed stool softeners in the am. and at h.s.
Correct Answer: C,E
Rationale: Activity should be increased, not decreased, to reduce the potential for constipation. Fluids should be increased, not decreased, to reduce the potential for dehydration and constipation. The client with a fourth-degree perineal laceration should be instructed to increase dietary fiber to help maintain bowel continence and decrease perineal trauma from constipation. A perineal laceration will not affect the condition of the uterus; there is no need to increase uterine monitoring. The client with a fourth-degree perineal laceration should be given a stool softener bid to help maintain bowel continence and decrease perineal trauma from constipation.
Which safety measure should the nurse emphasize for newborn sleep?
- A. Place the newborn on their back to sleep
- B. Use soft bedding for comfort
- C. Co-sleep in the parent's bed
- D. Keep the room very warm
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Placing the newborn on their back to sleep reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The nurse teaches the client to recognize which early labor sign?
- A. Bloody show
- B. Fatigue
- C. Increased appetite
- D. Mild nausea
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bloody show, a mucous discharge tinged with blood, is a common early labor sign as the cervix begins to dilate.