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The nurse receives a phone call from a pregnant person at 36 weeks’ gestation stating they have noticed some thin pink lines on the lower abdomen and wants to know if this is normal. The nurse recognizes the pregnant person is asking about what skin condition?
- A. linea nigra
- B. striae gravidarum
- C. palmar erythema
- D. pruritis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: striae gravidarum. This skin condition consists of thin pink lines on the lower abdomen, commonly known as stretch marks, and is common during pregnancy due to rapid stretching of the skin. Linea nigra (A) is a dark line that appears vertically on the abdomen, palmar erythema (C) is redness on the palms, and pruritis (D) is itching which are not relevant to the description given.
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What are functions of the amniotic fluid? (Select one that doesn't apply.)
- A. Prevents congenital amputations and amniotic bands.
- B. Enables fetal musculoskeletal development.
- C. Protects the fetus from maternal infections.
- D. Maintains fetal hydration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Amniotic fluid supports fetal development but does not protect against maternal infections.
A woman asks the nurse, 'What protects my baby's umbilical cord from being squashed while the baby's inside of me?' The nurse's best response is:
- A. Your baby's umbilical cord is surrounded by connective tissue called Wharton jelly, which prevents compression of the blood vessels and ensures continued nourishment of your baby.
- B. Your baby's umbilical floats around in blood anyway.
- C. You don't need to worry about things like that.
- D. The umbilical cord is a group of blood vessels that are very well protected by the placenta.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Wharton jelly surrounds the umbilical cord and prevents compression of the blood vessels.
With regard to prenatal genetic testing, nurses should be aware that:
- A. Maternal serum screening can determine whether a pregnant woman is at risk of carrying a fetus with Down syndrome.
- B. Carrier screening tests look for gene mutations of people already showing symptoms of a disease.
- C. Predisposition testing predicts with near certainty that symptoms will appear.
- D. Presymptomatic testing is used to predict the likelihood of breast cancer.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Maternal serum screening identifies the risk for the neural tube defect and the specific chromosome abnormality involved in Down syndrome.
What routine lab tests should a pregnant person have in the first trimester? Select all that apply.
- A. complete blood count (CBC)
- B. blood type and Rh factor
- C. urinalysis
- D. thyroid function tests
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: thyroid function tests. During pregnancy, thyroid function is crucial for the health of the mother and baby. Thyroid disorders can lead to complications. Testing thyroid function in the first trimester helps detect any abnormalities early.
A, B, and C are commonly performed tests in pregnancy, but they are not specific to the first trimester. A CBC helps assess overall health, blood type and Rh factor are important for identifying potential blood type incompatibilities, and urinalysis can indicate urinary tract infections or other issues. However, these tests are not unique to the first trimester and are typically done throughout pregnancy.
A new mother asks the nurse about the 'white substance' covering her infant. The nurse explains that the purpose of vernix caseosa is to:
- A. Protect the fetal skin from amniotic fluid.
- B. Promote normal peripheral nervous system development.
- C. Allow transport of oxygen and nutrients across the amnion.
- D. Regulate fetal temperature.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vernix caseosa protects the fetal skin from prolonged exposure to amniotic fluid.