Question 1

A pregnant patient tells the nurse that she has been nauseated and vomiting. The nurse explains that hyperemesis gravidarum is distinguished from morning sickness because:

Accepted Answer

Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances result from persistent nausea and vomiting associated with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Question 2

The patient with gestational hypertension has all the signs below. The nurse immediately reports:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

When the nurse asks a patient about drug use during a prenatal history, she might begin the questioning with:

Accepted Answer

Screening for drug use should begin in a nonthreatening way by asking about prescription and OTC medications.

Question 4

The nurse would suspect abruptio placentae when the pregnant woman presents with:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

A woman who is 9 weeks pregnant is experiencing heavy bleeding and cramping. She reports passing some tissue. Cervical dilation is noted on examination. This woman most likely had:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

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. The statement that indicates that the woman understands the explanation of an ectopic pregnancy is:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

The nurse explains that a woman who uses oral hypoglycemic agents to control diabetes mellitus will need to take insulin during pregnancy because:

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 8

The nurse explains that pregnancy affects glucose metabolism because:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

The patient who is 28 weeks pregnant presents with consistent hypertension. The home health nurse would give priority to the need for:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

The drug the nurse plans to have available for immediate IV administration whenever magnesium sulfate is administered to a maternity patient is:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

Rh incompatibility occurs in which of the following situations:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Sudden, excessive weight gain is the first sign of fluid retention.

Question 13

The pregnant woman comes to the clinic stating that she has been exposed to hepatitis B. She is afraid that her baby will also contract hepatitis B. The nurse counsels that the baby:

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 14

The nurse finds a woman crying after she has undergone a dilation and evacuation (D & E) for a missed abortion. The most appropriate statement made by the nurse would be:

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 15

An ultrasound on a woman who is 32 weeks pregnant reveals the placenta implanted over the entire cervical os. The nurse understands that this condition is known as:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

A woman seeking prenatal care relates a history of macrosomic infants, two stillbirths, and polyhydramnios with each pregnancy. The nurse recognizes that these factors are highly suggestive of:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

A primigravida in her first trimester is Rh-negative. To prevent anti-Rh antibodies from forming, this woman would receive:

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 18

The nurse explains that the objective of magnesium sulfate therapy for the patient with preeclampsia is to:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

A woman who is 35 weeks pregnant has a total placenta previa. She asks the nurse, "Will I be able to deliver vaginally?" The nurse should explain:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 20

The nurse caring for a pregnant woman who is receiving an intravenous infusion with magnesium sulfate will:

Accepted Answer

Excessive magnesium sulfate may cause respiratory depression.

Quiz 5: Nursing Care of Women With Complications During Pregnancy