A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who is in her second trimester of pregnancy. The client expresses concern about preparing her 2-year-old child for a new sibling. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

Choice A rationale:

Abdominal distention is not a typical manifestation of hypoglycemia in a newborn. Instead, it can be associated with gastrointestinal issues or other conditions affecting the abdominal organs.

Choice B rationale:

Petechiae are small, pinpoint purple or red spots that appear on the skin due to broken capillaries. They are not related to hypoglycemia and can be caused by various factors such as blood clotting disorders or infections.

Choice C rationale:

Increased muscle tone is not typically associated with hypoglycemia in a newborn. Instead, hypoglycemic babies may exhibit decreased muscle tone, lethargy, and poor feeding.

Choice D rationale:

Jitteriness is a common manifestation of hypoglycemia in newborns. It is characterized by rhythmic tremors, often involving the face and extremities. This occurs because the brain relies heavily on glucose for energy, and low blood sugar levels can affect neurological function, leading to jitteriness. Prompt intervention is necessary to prevent further complications.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should not tell the client that she cannot have an amniocentesis until she is at least 35 years of age. Age is not the primary factor for determining the eligibility for an amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is typically performed when there is a medical indication, such as advanced maternal age, abnormal prenatal screening, or a family history of genetic disorders.

Choice B rationale:

The nurse should not schedule the amniocentesis for later today without further clarification from the provider. Scheduling medical procedures without the provider's approval is not within the nurse's scope of practice and could lead to potential risks.

Choice C rationale:

This is the correct answer. The nurse should explain to the client that amniocentesis is a procedure used to determine if the baby has genetic or congenital disorders. It involves the extraction of a small amount of amniotic fluid to analyze the fetal cells for genetic abnormalities.

Choice D rationale:

The nurse should not tell the client that her provider will schedule a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) to determine the sex of the baby. CVS is another prenatal diagnostic test, but its primary purpose is to detect genetic disorders early in pregnancy, not to determine the baby's sex.