Question 1

A woman is 9 weeks pregnant and experiencing heavy bleeding and cramping.She reports passing some tissue.Cervical dilation is noted on examination.What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Signs and symptoms of an incomplete abortion are similar to those of an inevitable abortion,but some tissue is passed.

Question 2

What symptom presented by a pregnant women is indicative of abruptio placentae?

Accepted Answer

Bleeding accompanied by abdominal or lower back pain is a typical manifestation of abruptio placentae.

Question 3

What situation would concern the nurse about the presence of Rh incompatibility?

Accepted Answer

Rh incompatibility can occur only if the mother is Rh negative and the fetus is Rh positive.

Question 4

What will the nurse begin with when asking a patient about drug use during a prenatal history?

Accepted Answer

Screening for drug use should begin in a nonthreatening way by asking about prescription and OTC medications and how the information can help provide safe and appropriate prenatal care.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a pregnant woman receiving an intravenous infusion with magnesium sulfate.What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

Accepted Answer

Excessive magnesium sulfate may cause respiratory depression.

Question 6

An ultrasound on a woman who is 32 weeks pregnant reveals the placenta implanted over the entire cervical os.What does the nurse understand best describes this condition?

Accepted Answer

A total placenta previa describes a condition in which the placenta completely covers the cervical opening.

Question 7

A pregnant woman comes to the clinic stating that she has been exposed to hepatitis B.She is afraid that her infant will also contract hepatitis B.What will the nurse explain to this woman?

Accepted Answer

The infant will be given immune globulin immediately after birth for temporary immunity followed by hepatitis B vaccine.Immunization is not recommended for women who are pregnant.

Question 8

A patient who is 28 weeks pregnant presents with consistent hypertension.What need would the home health nurse make the first priority?

Accepted Answer

Bed rest reduces the flow of blood to skeletal muscles,making more blood available to the placenta and enhancing fetal oxygenation.

Question 9

A patient with gestational hypertension is exhibiting all of the signs below.What should the nurse report immediately?

Accepted Answer

Visual disturbances indicate worsening pregnancy-induced hypertension and must be reported promptly for effective intervention to prevent preeclampsia and convulsion.

Question 10

A pregnant patient tells the nurse that she has been nauseated and vomiting.How will the nurse explain that hyperemesis gravidarum is distinguished from morning sickness?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances result from persistent nausea and vomiting associated with hyperemesis gravidarum.Dehydration impairs the perfusion to the placenta.

Question 11

Why does the woman taking oral hypoglycemic agents to control diabetes mellitus need to take insulin during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Oral hypoglycemic agents are not used during pregnancy because they can cross the placenta,possibly resulting in fetal birth defects or hypoglycemia.

Question 12

What drug will the nurse plan to have available for immediate IV administration whenever magnesium sulfate is administered to a maternity patient?

Accepted Answer

Calcium gluconate reverses the effects of magnesium sulfate and should be available for immediate use when a woman receives magnesium sulfate.

Question 13

A woman who is 35 weeks pregnant has a total placenta previa.She asks the nurse,"Will I be able to deliver vaginally?" What explanation by the nurse is the most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A cesarean delivery is done for a partial or total placenta previa.

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a pregnant woman diagnosed with preeclampsia.What will the nurse explain is the objective of magnesium sulfate therapy for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium sulfate is a central nervous system depressant given to prevent seizures.

Question 15

A woman seeking prenatal care relates a history of macrosomic infants,two stillbirths,and polyhydramnios with each pregnancy.What does the nurse recognize these factors highly suggest?

Accepted Answer

Large (macrosomic)infants over 9 pounds are linked to gestational diabetes.

Question 16

The nurse finds a woman crying after she has undergone a dilation and evacuation (D&E)for a missed abortion.What is the most appropriate statement by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

An effective technique when communicating with a woman experiencing pregnancy loss is to say,"I'm here if you need to talk." The nurse listens and acknowledges the woman's grief.

Question 17

A nurse is providing prenatal education.The nurse will explain that pregnancy affects glucose metabolism in what way?

Accepted Answer

Hormones and enzymes produced by the placenta increase the resistance of cells to insulin.

Question 18

A primigravida in her first trimester is Rh negative.What will this woman receive to prevent anti-Rh antibodies from forming?

Accepted Answer

An Rh-negative woman would receive Rh immune globulin at 28 weeks of gestation and within 72 hours after the birth of an Rh-positive infant or abortion.

Question 19

The nurse assesses a pregnant woman for pregnancy-induced hypertension.What is the first sign of fluid retention suggestive of this complication?

Accepted Answer

Sudden,excessive weight gain is the first sign of fluid retention; facial swelling and swelling of the feet,legs,and hands follow weight gain.

Question 20

A woman who is 8 weeks pregnant becomes concerned when she has light vaginal bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain.An ectopic pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound.Which statement indicates that the woman understands the explanation of an ectopic pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized ovum is implanted outside of the uterine cavity.

Quiz 5: Nursing Care of Women with Complications During Pregnancy