A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer for 8 hours
each day tells the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which
... [Show More] instruction would
be most effective in preventing pooling of blood in the lower extremities?
Move about every hour
Pooling of blood in the lower extremities results from the enlarged uterus exerting
pressure on the pelvic veins. Moving about every hour will straighten out the
pelvic veins and increase venous return.
2. A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 28-weeks gestation
in preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg
subcutaneously to stop her labor contractions. The nurse plans to monitor for which
primary side effect of terbutaline sulfate?
Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
Terbutaline sulfate (Brethine), a beta-sympathomimetic drug, stimulates beta-adrenergic
receptors in the uterine muscle to stop contractions. The beta-adrenergic agonist
properties of the drug may cause tachycardia, increased cardiac output, restlessness,
headache, and a feeling of "nervousness".
3. When do the anterior and posterior fontanels close?
anterior fontanel closes at 12 to 18 months and the posterior by the end of the
second month.
4. When assessing a client who is at 12-weeks gestation, the nurse recommends that
she and her husband consider attending childbirth preparation classes. When is the
best time for the couple to attend these classes?
30 weeks gestation
at 30 weeks gestation is closest (of the options) to the time parents would be ready
for such classes. Learning is facilitated by an interested pupil! The couple is most
interested in childbirth toward the end of the pregnancy when they are
psychologically ready for the termination of the pregnancy, and the birth of their child
is an immediate concern.
5. The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing when...
the cervix is completely dilated.
Pushing begins with the second stage of labor, i.e., when the cervix is completely dilated
at 10 cm (C). If pushing begins before the cervix is completely dilated the cervix
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can become edematous and may never completely dilate, necessitating an operative
delivery. Many primigravida’s begin active labor 100%and theneffacedproceed to
dilate.
6. The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow breathing. The client
begins to complain of tingling fingers and dizziness. What action should the nurse take?
Have the client breathe into her cupped hands
Tingling fingers and dizziness are signs of hyperventilation (blowing off too much
carbon dioxide). Hyperventilation is treated by retaining carbon dioxide. This can be
facilitated by breathing into a paper bag or cupped hands.
7. Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant
develops localized edema on the right side of his head. The nurse knows that, in the
newborn, an accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull which does
not cross the suture line is a newborn variation known as...
a cephalohematoma, caused by forceps trauma and may last up to 8 weeks.
Cephalohematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the newborn, usually arises within the
first 24 hours after delivery. Trauma from delivery causes capillary bleeding between the
periosteum and the skull.
8. When does the head return to its normal
shape? 7-10 days
9. What did Nurse theorist Reva Rubin describe?
The initial postpartum period as the "taking-in phase," which is characterized by
maternal reliance on others to satisfy the needs for comfort, rest, nourishment, and
closeness to families and the newborn.
10. A couple, concerned because the woman has not been able to conceive, is referred to
a healthcare provider for a fertility workup and a hysterosalpingography is scheduled.
Which post procedure complaint indicates that the fallopian tubes are patent?
Shoulder pain
If the tubes are patent (open), pain is referred to the shoulder from a sub
diaphragmatic collection of peritoneal dye/gas.
11. Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving postpartum uterine contractions
or "afterpains?"
Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
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Lying prone keeps the fundus contracted and is especially useful with multiparas,
who commonly experience afterpains due to lack of uterine tone.
12. Which maternal behavior is the nurse most likely to see when a new mother
receives her infant for the first time?
Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile with
her fingertips.
Attachment/bonding theory indicates that most mothers will demonstrate behaviors
described in during the first visit with the newborn, which may be at delivery or later.
13. A client at 32-weeks gestation is hospitalized with severe pregnancy-induced
hypertension (PIH), and magnesium sulfate is prescribed to control the symptoms.
Which assessment finding indicates the therapeutic drug level has been achieved?
A decreased in respiratory rate from 24 to 16
Magnesium sulfate, a CNS depressant, helps prevent seizures. A decreased
respiratory rate indicates that the drug is effective. (Respiratory rate below 12 indicates
toxic effects.)
14. Urinary output must be monitored when administering magnesium sulfate and should
be at least 30 ml per hour. (The therapeutic level of magnesium sulfate for a PIH client
is 4.8 to 9.6 mg/dl.) What is the therapeutic level of magnesium sulfate?
The therapeutic level of magnesium sulfate for a PIH client is 4.8 to 9.6
mg/dl. What does it help prevent? helps prevent seizures
What indicates toxic levels? 3
Respiratory rate below 12 indicates toxic effects.
Urine output of less than 100 ml/4 hours
Absent DTRs
15. Twenty minutes after a continuous epidural anesthetic is administered, a laboring client's
blood pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/60. What action should the nurse take?
Place woman in a lateral position
The nurse should immediately turn the woman to a lateral position, place a pillow or
wedge under the right hip to deflect the uterus, increase the rate of the main line IV
infusion, and administer oxygen by face mask at 10-12 L/min. If the blood pressure
remains low, especially if it further decreases, the anesthesiologist/healthcare
provider should be notified immediately.
16. A client at 28-weeks gestation calls the antepartum clinic and states that she is
experiencing a small amount of vaginal bleeding which she describes as bright red.
She further states that she is not experiencing any uterine contractions or abdominal
pain. What instruction should the nurse provide?
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Come to the clinic today for an ultrasound
Third trimester painless bleeding is characteristic of a placenta previa. Bright red
bleeding may be intermittent, occur in gushes, or be continuous. Rarely is the first
incidence life-threatening, nor cause for hypovolemic shock. Diagnosis is confirmed
by transabdominal ultrasound.
17. An off-duty nurse finds a woman in a supermarket parking lot delivering an infant
while her husband is screaming for someone to help his wife. Which intervention has
the highest priority?
Put the newborn to breast
Putting the newborn to breast will help contract the uterus and prevent a
postpartum hemorrhage--this intervention has the highest priority.
18. A pregnant client with mitral stenosis Class III is prescribed complete bedrest. The client
asks the nurse, "Why must I stay in bed all the time?" Which response is best for the
nurse to provide this client?
Complete bedrest decreases oxygen needs and demands on the heart muscle tissue.
To help preserve cardiac reserves, the woman may need to restrict her activities
and complete bedrest is often prescribed.
19. The nurse is teaching care of the newborn to a group of prospective parents and
describes the need for administering antibiotic ointment into the eyes of the newborn.
Which infectious organism will this treatment prevent from harming the infant?
Gonorrhea
Erythromycin ointment is instilled into the lower conjunctiva of each eye within 2 hours
after birth to prevent ophthalmic neonatorum, an infection caused by gonorrhea, and
inclusion conjunctivitis, an infection caused by chlamydia. The infant may be exposed
to these bacteria when passing through the birth canal.
20. The nurse is teaching a woman how to use her basal body temperature (BBT)
pattern as a tool to assist her in conceiving a child. Which temperature pattern
indicates the occurrence of ovulation, and therefore, the best time for intercourse to
ensure conception?
Between the time the temperature falls and rises.
In most women, the BBT drops slightly 24 to 36 hours before ovulation and rises 24
to 72 hours after ovulation, when the corpus luteum of the ruptured ovary produces
progesterone. Therefore, intercourse between the time of the temperature fall and
rise is the best time for conception. The human ovum can be fertilized 16 to 24 hours
after ovulation.
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21. The nurse is caring for a woman with a previously diagnosed heart disease who is in
the second stage of labor. Which assessment findings are of greatest concern?
Edema, basilar rales, and an irregular pulse
This indicates cardiac decompensation and requires immediate intervention.
22. A woman with Type 2 diabetes mellitus becomes pregnant, and her oral hypoglycemic
agents are discontinued. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to
implement?
Describe diet changes that can improve the management of her diabetes
Diet modifications are effective in managing Type 2 diabetes during pregnancy and
describing the necessary diet changes is the most important intervention for the
nurse to implement with this client.
23. A client receiving epidural anesthesia begins to experience nausea and becomes pale
and clammy. What intervention should the nurse implement first?
Raise the foot of the bed
These symptoms are suggestive of hypotension which is a side effect of epidural
anesthesia. Raising the foot of the bed will increase venous return and provide blood to
the vital areas. Increasing the IV fluid rate using a balanced non-dextrose solution and
ensuring that the client is in a lateral position are also appropriate interventions,
and then checking the patient’s blood pressure.
24. What is the normal bilirubin at 1 day old?
A. The normal total bilirubin level is 6 to 12 mg/dl after Day 1 of life.
25. How do we lower the levels if they are not severe?
This infant's bilirubin is beginning to climb, and the infant should be monitored to
prevent further complications. Breast milk provides calories and enhances GI motility,
which will assist the bowel in eliminating bilirubin.
26. A 30-year-old gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 26-weeks' gestation
in preterm labor. She is given a dose of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg
subcutaneous. Which assessment is the highest priority for the nurse to monitor
during the administration of this drug?
Monitoring maternal and fetal heart rates is most important when terbutaline is
being administered.
Terbutaline acts as a sympathomimetic agent that stimulates both beta 1 receptors
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(causing tachycardia, a side effect of the drug) and stimulation of beta 2
receptors (causing uterine relaxation, a desired effect of the drug).
27. A full-term infant is admitted to the newborn nursery and, after careful assessment, the
nurse suspects that the infant may have an esophageal atresia. Which symptoms is this
newborn likely to have exhibited?
Choking, coughing, and cyanosis.
the "3 Cs" of esophageal atresia caused by the overflow of secretions into the trachea.
28. What does a child in respiratory distress look like?
Apneic spells and grunting with prematurity or sepsis
29. What does a diaphragmatic hernia look
like? Scaphoid abdomen and anorexia
30. A new mother is afraid to touch her baby's head for fear of hurting the "large soft spot."
Which explanation should the nurse give to this anxious client?
There's a strong, tough membrane there to protect the baby so you need not be
afraid to wash or comb his/her hair.
31. A client who is attending antepartum classes asks the nurse why her healthcare
provider has prescribed iron tablets. The nurse's response is based on what
knowledge?
It is difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone.
Consuming enough iron-containing foods to facilitate adequate fetal storage of iron
and to meet the demands of pregnancy is difficult so iron supplements are often
recommended.
32. What is megaloblastic anemia caused
by? folic acid deficiency
33. A woman who thinks she could be pregnant calls her neighbor, a nurse, to ask when she
could use a home pregnancy test to diagnose pregnancy. Which response is best?
A home pregnancy test can be used right after your first missed period.
Home urine tests are based on the chemical detection of human chorionic
gonadotrophin, which begins to increase 6 to 8 days after conception and is
best detected at 2 weeks’gestation or immediately after the first missed period.
34. A 28-year-old client in active labor complains of cramps in her leg. What intervention
should the nurse implement?
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Extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot
Dorsiflexing the foot by pushing the sole of the foot forward or by standing (if the client
is capable) and putting the heel of the foot on the floor is the best means of relieving
leg cramps.
35. A client at 30-weeks’gestation, complaining of pressure over the pubic area, is admitted
for observation. She is contracting irregularly and demonstrates underlying uterine
irritability. Vaginal examination reveals that her cervix is closed, thick, and high. Based
on these data, which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Obtaining a urine analysis should be done first because preterm clients with
uterine irritability and contractions are often suffering from a urinary tract infection,
and this should be ruled out first.
36. A client in active labor is admitted with preeclampsia. Which assessment finding is most
significant in planning this client's care?
A 4+ reflex in a client with pregnancy-induced hypertension indicates
hyperreflexia, which is an indication of an impending seizure.
37. What is Epogen for?
Changes an apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s.
Epogen, given to prevent or treat anemia, stimulates erythropoietin production,
resulting in an increase in RBCs. Since the body has not had to compensate for
anemia with an increased heart rate, changes in heart rate from high to normal is one
indicator that Epogen is effective
38. The healthcare provider prescribes terbutaline (Brethine) for a clie [Show Less]