A 23-year-old primigravida who appears to be in her third trimester of pregnancy comes to the labor and delivery unit reporting acute abdominal pain. She has had no prenatal care. Which assessment should the nurse do first?
Obtain a full history.
Examine the cervix for dilation
Examine the cervix for dilation.
Palpate for uterine contraction frequency
The Correct Answer is C
This is because the first priority for a pregnant woman with acute abdominal pain is to assess the fetal well-being and rule out any obstetric complications such as placental abruption, uterine rupture, or preterm labor. Fetal heart tones can indicate the presence and viability of the fetus and alert the nurse to any signs of fetal distress or hypoxia.
Choice A: Obtain a full history is wrong because it is not the most urgent action.
A full history can provide valuable information about the possible causes of abdominal pain, but it should not delay the assessment of fetal status and maternal vital signs.
Choice B: Examine the cervix for dilation is wrong because it can be harmful in some cases. A digital cervical examination should be avoided until placenta previa is ruled out by ultrasound, as it can cause bleeding and worsen the condition.
Moreover, cervical dilation alone does not indicate the cause or severity of abdominal pain.
Choice D: Palpate for uterine contraction frequency is wrong because it is not the most reliable method to assess labor. Uterine contractions can be measured by external tocodynamometry or internal intrauterine pressure catheter, which can provide more accurate and objective data than manual palpation.
Furthermore, uterine contractions do not necessarily indicate labor, as they can also be caused by other conditions such as dehydration, infection, or irritable uterus.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Urine testing is the best indication of whether my blood sugar is under control. This is wrong because urine testing only reflects the blood sugar level at the time of urination, not the current level.
It also does not detect low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), which can be dangerous for the mother and the baby.
The best way to monitor blood sugar levels during pregnancy is to use a glucometer, which measures the blood glucose level from a drop of blood.
Choice A is correct because insulin requirements usually increase during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and increased insulin resistance.
The patient may need to adjust her insulin dose according to her blood glucose levels and dietary intake.
Choice B is correct because the patient needs to eat a balanced diet that provides adequate calories and nutrients for herself and the baby.
She may need to consult a dietitian to plan her meals and snacks according to her blood glucose levels and insulin regimen.
Choice D is correct because regular exercise can help lower blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
The patient should consult her healthcare provider before starting or changing her exercise routine.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. The woman’s temperature will increase when she is ovulating.This is because ovulation is triggered by a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which also causes a slight rise in basal body temperature (BBT).By measuring her BBT every morning before getting out of bed, the woman can detect this subtle change and identify her fertile window.
Choice A is wrong because ovulation typically occurs around 14 days before the next menstrual period, not seven days after the previous one.
The length of the menstrual cycle can vary from woman to woman, so counting days is not a reliable method of predicting ovulation.
Choice B is wrong because cervical mucus will appear clear, slippery and stretchy when the woman is ovulating, not tacky and cloudy.
This type of mucus helps sperm swim and survive in the reproductive tract.
The woman can check her cervical mucus by wiping with toilet paper or inserting a finger into her vagina.
Choice D is wrong because abdominal massage of the ovaries will not stimulate ovulation, and may even cause harm by injuring the delicate tissues or introducing infection.
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