The nurse is answering a phone call from a pregnant person. The pregnant person informs the nurse she has had several sharp pains in the right lower abdomen this week. What is the priority question the nurse should ask the pregnant person?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: How many weeks pregnant are you? This is the priority question because sharp pains in the right lower abdomen could indicate an ectopic pregnancy or appendicitis, both of which are serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention. Knowing the gestational age will help the nurse determine the likelihood of these complications.
Choice B: How much water are you drinking every day? is not the priority question as it is unlikely to be related to the sharp pains in the right lower abdomen.
Choice C: When was your last bowel movement? is not the priority question as it is not directly related to the sharp pains in the right lower abdomen.
Choice D: Are you lactose intolerant? is not the priority question as it is not likely to be the cause of sharp pains in the right lower abdomen for a pregnant person.