A nurse in a prenatal clinic is assessing a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse see first?
- A. A client who is at 11 weeks of gestation and reports abdominal cramping.
- B. A client who is at 15 weeks of gestation and reports tingling and numbness in right hand.
- C. A client who is at 20 weeks of gestation and reports constipation for the past 4 days.
- D. A client who is at 8 weeks of gestation and reports having three bloody noses in the past week.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Abdominal cramping in early pregnancy could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, both of which are urgent and potentially life-threatening conditions. The nurse should prioritize assessing this client to rule out any serious complications.
Choice B is not as urgent as choice A because tingling and numbness in the hand are likely due to musculoskeletal or nerve compression issues, which are not immediately life-threatening.
Choice C, constipation, is a common issue in pregnancy and is not typically considered an urgent concern unless accompanied by severe symptoms like abdominal pain or bleeding.
Choice D, frequent bloody noses, is not typically an urgent concern in early pregnancy unless it is accompanied by other severe symptoms like dizziness or excessive bleeding.
In summary, the nurse should prioritize assessing the client experiencing abdominal cramping at 11 weeks of gestation due to the potential seriousness of this symptom in early pregnancy.
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A nurse is caring for a client who is at 10 weeks of gestation. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Frequent vomiting with weight loss of 3 lb in 1 week.
- B. Reports of mood swings.
- C. Nosebleeds occurring approximately 3 times per week.
- D. Increased vaginal discharge.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Frequent vomiting with weight loss of 3 lb in 1 week can indicate hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. This finding is concerning and requires immediate medical attention to prevent complications. Reporting this to the provider allows for timely intervention.
Other choices are incorrect:
B: Reports of mood swings are common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and are not typically a cause for immediate concern.
C: Nosebleeds occurring approximately 3 times per week can be due to increased blood flow during pregnancy and are usually not a significant concern unless severe or persistent.
D: Increased vaginal discharge is a common symptom in early pregnancy due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the pelvic area. It is not typically an urgent issue unless accompanied by other symptoms like itching or foul odor.
A nurse is performing a routine assessment on a client who is at 18 weeks of gestation. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Deep tendon reflexes 4+.
- B. Fundal height 14 cm.
- C. Blood pressure 142/94 mm Hg.
- D. FHR 152/min.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: FHR 152/min. At 18 weeks gestation, the fetal heart rate (FHR) should be around 140-160 bpm, making a rate of 152/min within the expected range. This indicates normal fetal cardiac activity and development.
A: Deep tendon reflexes are not typically assessed during routine prenatal visits and are not related to gestational age.
B: Fundal height at 18 weeks should be around the level of the umbilicus, which is closer to 20 cm, not 14 cm.
C: Blood pressure of 142/94 mm Hg is elevated and indicates hypertension, which is not expected at 18 weeks gestation.
E, F, G: No other options provided.
A nurse is caring for a client who has preeclampsia and is receiving a continuous infusion of magnesium sulfate IV. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Restrict hourly fluid intake to 150 mL/hr.
- B. Have calcium gluconate readily available.
- C. Assess deep tendon reflexes every 6 hr.
- D. Monitor intake and output every 4 hr.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Have calcium gluconate readily available. Magnesium sulfate IV can cause toxicity leading to respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity as it antagonizes the effects of magnesium on the muscles. Having it readily available ensures prompt treatment in case of toxicity.
Restricting fluid intake (A) is not necessary for preeclampsia and can lead to dehydration. Assessing deep tendon reflexes (C) every 6 hours is important but not as crucial as having the antidote readily available. Monitoring intake and output (D) every 4 hours is important for overall assessment but does not directly address magnesium sulfate toxicity.
Which of the following conditions is the client most likely developing?
- A. Pelvic inflammatory.
- B. Ectopic pregnancy.
- C. Pyclonephritis.
- D. C-reactive protein.
- E. Beta hCG.
- F. Urinalysis.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: [1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]
The correct answer is A: Pelvic inflammatory. Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female reproductive organs, often caused by sexually transmitted infections. It presents with symptoms like pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, and fever. Ectopic pregnancy (B) is the implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterus and presents with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Pyelonephritis (C) is a kidney infection, typically causing fever and flank pain. C-reactive protein (D) is a marker for inflammation and infection, not a specific condition. Beta hCG (E) is a hormone produced in pregnancy. Urinalysis (F) is a test to analyze urine composition, not a condition.
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take prior to applying an external transducer for fetal monitoring?
- A. Determine progression of dilatation and effacement.
- B. Perform Leopold maneuvers.
- C. Complete a sterile speculum exam.
- D. Prepare a Nitrazine paper test.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Perform Leopold maneuvers. Prior to applying an external transducer for fetal monitoring, the nurse should perform Leopold maneuvers to assess the fetal position, presentation, lie, and engagement. This helps in determining the optimal placement of the transducer for accurate monitoring of the fetal heart rate. It allows the nurse to locate the fetal back and position the transducer over the fetal heart for the best signal quality.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect:
A: Determining progression of dilatation and effacement is not necessary before applying the external transducer.
C: Completing a sterile speculum exam is not needed for fetal monitoring.
D: Preparing a Nitrazine paper test is unrelated to applying an external transducer.