Nokea
The pregnant client presents with vaginal bleeding and increasing cramping. Her exam reveals that the cervical os is open. Which term should the nurse expect to see in the client’s chart notation to most accurately describe the client’s condition?
- A. Ectopic pregnancy
- B. Complete abortion
- C. Imminent abortion
- D. Incomplete abortion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In imminent abortion, the client’s bleeding and cramping increase and the cervix is open, which indicates that abortion is imminent or inevitable. In ectopic pregnancy, the pregnancy is outside of the uterus, and intervention is indicated to resolve the pregnancy. A complete abortion indicates that the contents of the pregnancy have been passed. In an incomplete abortion, a portion of the pregnancy has been expelled, and a portion remains in the uterus.
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The RN and the student nurse are caring for the postpartum client who is 16 hours postdelivery. The RN evaluates that the student needs more education about uterine assessment when the student is observed doing which activity?
- A. Elevating the client’s head 30 degrees before doing the assessment
- B. Supporting the lower uterine segment during the assessment
- C. Gently palpating the uterine fundus for firmness and location
- D. Observing the abdomen before beginning palpation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For uterine assessment, the client should be positioned in a supine position so the height of the uterus is not influenced by an elevated position. When beginning the assessment, one hand should be placed at the base of the uterus just above the symphysis pubis to support the lower uterine segment. This prevents the inadvertent inversion of the uterus during palpation. Once the lower hand is in place, the fundus of the uterus can be gently palpated. The abdomen should be observed prior to palpation for contour to detect distention and for the appearance of striae or a diastasis.
Immediately after delivery of the client’s placenta, the nurse palpates the client’s uterine fundus. The fundus is firm and located halfway between the umbilicus and symphysis pubis. Which action should the nurse take based on the assessment findings?
- A. Immediately begin to massage the uterus
- B. Document the findings of the fundus
- C. Assess the client for bladder distention
- D. Monitor for increased vaginal bleeding
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uterine massage is indicated only if the uterus does not feel firm and contracted. Immediately after birth, the uterus should contract, and the fundus should be located one-half to two-thirds of the way between the symphysis pubis and umbilicus. Thus the only action required is to document the assessment finding. There is no indication that the bladder is full. A full bladder will cause uterine displacement to either side of the abdomen. The uterus is firm; there is no reason to infer that increased vaginal bleeding would occur.
When one participant asks the nurse what can be done to relieve leg cramps while working, which instruction by the nurse is correct?
- A. Increase protein intake to five to six servings per day.
- B. Wear elastic stockings when at work.
- C. Point the toes frequently toward the head.
- D. Massage the leg when a cramp occurs.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pointing toes toward the head (dorsiflexion) relieves leg cramps by stretching the calf muscles, unlike the other options.
The student nurse reports to an experienced nurse finding a warm, red, tender area on the left calf of the client who is 48 hours post—vaginal delivery. The nurse assesses the client and explains to the student that postpartum clients are at increased risk for thrombophlebitis due to which factors? Select all that apply.
- A. The fibrinogen levels in the blood of postpartum clients are elevated.
- B. Fluids normally shift from the interstitial to the intravascular space.
- C. Postpartum hormonal shifts irritate vascular basement membranes.
- D. Pressure is placed on the legs when elevated in stirrups during delivery.
- E. Dilation of veins in the lower extremities occurs during pregnancy.
- F. Compression of the common iliac vein occurs during pregnancy.
Correct Answer: A,D,E,F
Rationale: During pregnancy, fibrinogen levels increase, and this increase continues to be present in the postpartum period. The increased levels can contribute to clot formation. There is not a shift of fluid from the interstitial to the vascular spaces in the postpartum period. Actual blood volume increases during pregnancy and is further increased immediately after delivery. This fluid volume is eventually lost through diuresis during the first postpartum week. Postpartum hormonal changes do occur, but they do not affect the vascular basement membranes. Elevation of the legs in stirrups during delivery leads to pooling of blood and vascular stasis. Dilation of the veins in the lower extremities occurs during pregnancy and increases the risk of venous stasis. Compression of the common iliac vein occurs during pregnancy due to an enlarging fetus and increases the risk of venous stasis.
The nurse is caring for multiple clients. The nurse determines that which client would be a candidate for intermittent fetal monitoring during labor?
- A. The client with a previous cesarean birth
- B. The primigravida client at 41 weeks
- C. The client with preeclampsia
- D. The client with gestational diabetes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client who is overdue by 7 days but has a reassuring FHR pattern is able to have intermittent fetal monitoring. Women with a previous cesarean birth are at an increased risk for uterine rupture. Women with preeclampsia are at an increased risk for placental insufficiency and need continuous monitoring during labor. Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk for placental insufficiency and need continuous monitoring during labor.