A client asks the nurse about the risks and complications associated with prenatal ultrasound.

Which of the following responses by the nurse is accurate?

The correct answer is choice B. Monitor fetal heart rate.

This is because cramping and vaginal bleeding after amniocentesis are signs of possible complications such as miscarriage, preterm labor, or injury to the fetus.

Monitoring fetal heart rate can help assess the well-being of the fetus and detect any signs of distress.

Choice A is wrong because administering Rho(D) immunoglobulin is only necessary if the mother has Rh-negative blood and the baby has Rh-positive blood, which can cause Rh sensitization.

This is not given routinely to all women who have amniocentesis.

Choice C is wrong because assessing maternal vital signs is not the first priority when there is a risk of fetal compromise.

Maternal vital signs can be affected by many factors and are not specific indicators of fetal health.

Choice D is wrong because obtaining an order for an ultrasound exam is not the first action to take.

An ultrasound exam can help confirm the diagnosis of complications such as placental abruption or fetal demise, but it requires time and equipment that might delay immediate intervention.

Monitoring fetal heart rate can be done quickly and easily at the bedside.

The patient should wear loose-fitting clothing and lie supine on an examination table.

This is because loose-fitting clothing allows easy access to the abdomen and lying supine helps relax the abdominal muscles.

The patient should also avoid food and drinks for 8 to 12 hours before the test, as undigested food can interfere with the sound waves and affect the image quality.

Choice A is wrong because a full bladder is not necessary for an abdominal ultrasound, unless the patient is pregnant or has a pelvic condition.

A transvaginal ultrasound is a different type of ultrasound that uses a probe inserted into the vagina to examine the reproductive organs.

Choice B is wrong because tight-fitting clothing can restrict the movement of the ultrasound probe and make it harder to get a clear image.

Lying prone (on the stomach) can also tense up the abdominal muscles and obscure the organs.

Choice D is wrong because lying prone can have the same disadvantages as choice B. Additionally, wearing loose-fitting clothing does not mean that the patient can eat or drink anything before the test, as this can affect the results.