Why should a woman in her first trimester of pregnancy expect to visit her health care provider every 4 weeks?
a. Problems can be eliminated.
b. She
... [Show More] develops trust in the health care team.
c. Her questions about labor can be answered.
d. The conditions of the expectant mother and fetus can be monitored.
2. A pregnant client's mother is worried that her daughter is not "big enough" at 20 weeks of gestation. The nurse palpates and measures the fundal height at 20 cm, which is even with the woman's umbilicus. Which should the nurse report to the client and her mother?
a. "You're right. We'll inform the practitioner immediately."
b. "Lightening has occurred, so the fundal height is lower than expected."
c. "The body of the uterus is at the belly button level, just where it should be at this time."
d. "When you come for next month's appointment, we'll check you again to make sure that the baby is growing."
3. While the vital signs of a pregnant client in her third trimester are being assessed, the client complains of feeling faint, dizzy, and agitated. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
a. Have the client stand up and retake her blood pressure.
b. Have the client sit down and hold her arm in a dependent position.
c. Have the client turn to her left side and recheck her blood pressure in 5 minutes.
d. Have the client lie supine for 5 minutes and recheck her blood pressure on both arms.
4. A pregnant client has come to the emergency department with complaints of nasal congestion and epistaxis. Which is the correct interpretation of these symptoms by the health care provider?
a. Nasal stuffiness and nosebleeds are caused by a decrease in progesterone.
b. These conditions are abnormal. Refer the client to an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
c. Estrogen relaxes the smooth muscles in the respiratory tract, so congestion and epistaxis are within normal limits.
d. Estrogen causes increased blood supply to the mucous membranes and can result in congestion and nosebleeds.
5. Which suggestion is appropriate for the pregnant client who is experiencing heartburn?
a. Drink plenty of fluids at bedtime.
b. Eat only three meals a day so the stomach is empty between meals.
c. Drink coffee or orange juice immediately on arising in the morning.
d. Use Tums or Alkamints to obtain relief, as directed by the health care provider.
6. While providing education to a primiparous client regarding the normal changes of pregnancy, what is important for the nurse to explain about Braxton Hicks contractions?
a. These contractions may indicate preterm labor.
b. These are contractions that never cause any discomfort.
c. Braxton Hicks contractions only start during the third trimester.
d. These occur throughout pregnancy, but you may not feel them until the third trimester.
7. What is the reason for vascular volume increasing by 40% to 60% during pregnancy?
a. Prevents maternal and fetal dehydration
b. Eliminates metabolic wastes of the mother
c. Provides adequate perfusion of the placenta
d. Compensates for decreased renal plasma flow
8. Physiologic anemia often occurs during pregnancy because of:
a. inadequate intake of iron.
b. the fetus establishing iron stores.
c. dilution of hemoglobin concentration.
d. decreased production of erythrocytes.
9. Which is a positive sign of pregnancy?
a. Amenorrhea
b. Breast changes
c. Fetal movement felt by the woman
d. Visualization of fetus by ultrasound
12. A client in her first trimester complains of nausea and vomiting. She asks, "Why does this happen?" What is the nurse's best response?
a. "It is due to an increase in gastric motility."
b. "It may be due to changes in hormones."
c. "It is related to an increase in glucose levels."
d. "It is caused by a decrease in gastric secretions."
13. Which advice to the client is one of the most effective methods for preventing venous stasis?
a. Sit with the legs crossed.
b. Rest often with the feet elevated.
c. Sleep with the foot of the bed elevated.
d. Wear elastic stockings in the afternoon.
14. A client notices that the health care provider writes "positive Chadwick's sign" on her chart. She asks the nurse what this means. Which is the nurse's best response?
a. "It means the cervix is softening."
b. "That refers to a positive sign of pregnancy."
c. "It refers to the bluish color of the cervix in pregnancy."
d. "The doctor was able to flex the uterus against the cervix."
18. Which complaint made by a client at 35 weeks of gestation requires additional assessment?
a. Abdominal pain
b. Ankle edema in the afternoon
c. Backache with prolonged standing
d. Shortness of breath when climbing stairs
19. A gravida client at 32 weeks of gestation reports that she has severe lower back pain. What should the nurse's assessment include?
a. Palpation of the lumbar spine
b. Exercise pattern and duration
c. Observation of posture and body mechanics
d. Ability to sleep for at least 6 hours uninterrupted
23. The client has just learned she is pregnant and overhears the gynecologist saying that she has a positive Chadwick's sign. When the client asks the nurse what this means, how should the nurse respond?
a. "Chadwick's sign signifies an increased risk of blood clots in pregnant women because of a congestion of blood."
b. "That sign means the cervix has softened as the result of tissue changes that naturally occur with pregnancy."
c. "This means that a mucous plug has formed in the cervical canal to help protect you from uterine infection."
d. "This sign occurs normally in pregnancy, when estrogen causes increased blood flow in the area of the cervix."
24. When a pregnant woman develops ptyalism, what should the nurse advise?
a. Chew gum or suck on lozenges between meals.
b. Eat nutritious meals that provide adequate amounts of essential vitamins and minerals.
c. Take short walks to stimulate circulation in the legs and elevate the legs periodically.
d. Use pillows to support the abdomen and back during sleep.
26. When the pregnant woman develops changes caused by pregnancy, the nurse recognizes that the darkly pigmented vertical midabdominal line is the:
a. epulis.
b. linea nigra.
c. melasma.
d. striae gravidarum.
30. Which physiologic finding is consistent with normal pregnancy?
a. Systemic vascular resistance increases as blood pressure decreases.
b. Cardiac output increases during pregnancy.
c. Blood pressure remains consistent independent of position changes.
d. Maternal vasoconstriction occurs in response to increased metabolism.
31. A pregnant client complains that since she has been pregnant, her nose is always stuffed and she feels like she has a cold. Past medical history is negative for respiratory problems such as hay fever, sinusitis, or other allergies. What is the most likely cause for the client's presentation?
a. Increased effects of progesterone to maintain the pregnancy
b. Effects of estrogen on the respiratory tract
c. Development of allergies as a result of pregnancy because of altered immunity
d. Increase in fluid consumption during pregnancy leading to overhydration
32. A pregnant client complains of frequent heartburn. The client states that she has never had these symptoms before and wonders why this is occurring now. The best response that the nurse can provide is:
a. examine her dietary intake pattern and tell her to avoid certain foods.
b. tell her that this is a normal finding during early pregnancy and will resolve as she gets closer to term.
c. explain to the client that physiologic changes caused by the pregnancy make her more likely to experience these types of symptoms.
d. refer her to her health care provider for additional testing because this is an abnormal finding.
33. Which physiologic event may lead to increased constipation during pregnancy?
a. Increased emptying time in the intestines
b. Abdominal distention and bloating
c. Decreased absorption of water
d. Decreased motility in the intestines
34. Which physiologic findings are seen with respect to gallbladder function that might lead to the development of gallstones during pregnancy?
a. Decrease in alkaline phosphatase levels compared with nonpregnant women
b. Increase in albumin and total protein as a result of hemodilution
c. Hypertonicity of gallbladder tissue
d. Prolonged emptying time
35. Which of these findings would indicate a potential complication related to renal function during pregnancy?
a. Increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
b. Increase in serum creatinine level
c. Decrease in blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
d. Mild proteinuria
36. A pregnant client notices that she is beginning to develop dark skin patches on her face. She denies using any different type of facial products as a cleansing solution or makeup. What would the priority nursing intervention be in response to this situation?
a. Refer the client to a dermatologist for further examination.
b. Ask the client if she has been eating different types of foods.
c. Take a culture swab and send to the lab for culture and sensitivity (C&S).
d. Let the client know that this is a common finding that occurs during pregnancy.
39. Which of the client health behaviors in the first trimester would the nurse identify as a risk factor in pregnancy?
a. Sexual intercourse two or three times weekly
b. Moderate exercise for 30 minutes daily
c. Working 40 hours a week as a secretary in a travel agency
d. Relaxing in a hot tub for 30 minutes a day, several days a week
40. A client who smokes one pack of cigarettes daily has a positive pregnancy test. The nurse will explain that smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of which condition?
a. Congenital anomalies
b. Death before or after birth
c. Neonatal hypoglycemia
d. Neonatal withdrawal syndrome
42. The client with an IUD has a positive pregnancy test. When planning care, the nurse will base decisions on which anticipated action?
a. A therapeutic abortion will need to be scheduled because fetal damage is inevitable.
b. Hormonal analyses will be done to determine the underlying cause of the false-positive test result.
c. The IUD will need to be removed to avoid complications such as miscarriage or infection.
d. The IUD will need to remain in place to avoid injuring the fetus.
44. A patient at 24 week' gestation reports to the clinic nurse that she is tired all the time. What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Everyone has chronic anemia at this time in pregnancy."
b. "I'll make sure your health care provider is informed of your concern."
c. "Your urine is clean of protein and sugar. You are doing well at this time."
d. "Make sure you are drinking enough fluid to keep up with the demands of your body."
45. A patient reports to the clinic nurse that she has not had a period in over 12 weeks, she is tired, and her breasts are sore all of the time. The patient's urine test is positive for hCG. What is the best nursing action related to this information?
a. Ask the patient if she has had any nausea or vomiting in the morning.
b. Schedule the patient to be seen by a health care provider within the next 4 weeks.
c. Send the patient to the maternity screening area of the clinic for a routine ultrasound.
d. Determine if there are any factors that might prohibit her from seeking medical care.
50. A pregnant client reports that she works in a long-term care setting and is concerned about the impending flu season. She asks about receiving the flu vaccine. As the nurse, you are aware that some immunizations are safe to administer during pregnancy, whereas others are not. Which vaccines could this client receive? (Select all that apply.)
a. Tetanus
b. Varicella
c. Influenza
d. Hepatitis A and B
e. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) [Show Less]