How it Works
Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (Free-Trial)

A nurse in a healthcare provider’s office is caring for a patient who is at 34 weeks of gestation and at risk for placental abruption.

 The nurse should recognize that which of the following is the most common risk factor for abruption? 

A.

Cigarette smoking.

B.

Hypertension.

C.

Blunt force trauma.

D.

Cocaine use.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale 
While cigarette smoking can increase the risk of many complications during pregnancy, including placental abruption, it is not the most common risk factor. Smoking can cause constriction and damage to the blood vessels in the placenta, but other factors, such as hypertension, are more commonly associated with placental abruption. 
Choice B rationale 
Hypertension is the most common risk factor for placental abruption. High blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in the placenta, leading to abruption. Chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia can all increase a woman’s risk of experiencing a placental abruption. 
Choice C rationale 
Blunt force trauma, such as that experienced in a car accident or a fall, can cause placental abruption, but it is not the most common risk factor. Any trauma to the abdomen during pregnancy should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to assess for potential complications, including placental abruption. 
Choice D rationale 
Cocaine use can increase the risk of placental abruption. Cocaine causes intense vasoconstriction, which can compromise the blood flow to the placenta and lead to abruption. However, it is not the most common risk factor for this condition. 
 


Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Free Nursing Study Resources

Related Questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Fetal head compression is associated with early decelerations, not late. Early decelerations are a normal finding during labor as the fetal head is compressed during contractions, leading to a vagal response that temporarily decreases the heart rate.

Choice B reason:

Umbilical cord compression leads to variable decelerations, not late. Variable decelerations can occur at any time during the contraction cycle and are caused by compression of the umbilical cord, which can restrict blood flow to the fetus.

The correct answer is C. Uteroplacental insufficiency.

Late decelerations are indicative of uteroplacental insufficiency, which is a condition where the placenta is not delivering enough oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.

Choice D reason:

Maternal bradycardia, which is a slower than normal heart rate in the mother, does not cause late decelerations in the fetus. Instead, maternal bradycardia can be a separate concern and does not directly affect the fetal heart rate pattern observed on the monitor.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Increased deposits of fat in the chest and shoulder area are not typically associated with respiratory distress syndrome in a newborn. Macrosomic newborns, or those with a high birth weight, may have increased fat deposits, but this is not the primary cause of respiratory distress.
Choice B rationale
A brachial plexus injury is a type of birth injury that can occur due to difficulties during delivery, such as a prolonged labor or a breech presentation. It involves damage to the bundle of nerves that supply the arms and hands. However, it does not directly cause respiratory distress syndrome.
Choice C rationale
Increased blood viscosity could potentially contribute to respiratory distress, but it is not the most likely cause in a macrosomic newborn whose mother has poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar levels in the mother can lead to high insulin levels in the newborn, which is a more direct cause of respiratory distress.
Choice D rationale
Hyperinsulinemia, or high levels of insulin in the blood, is the most likely cause of respiratory distress in this case. When a mother has poorly controlled diabetes, the baby’s pancreas may respond to high glucose levels by producing extra insulin. After birth, the baby may have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and increased red blood cell production, both of which can contribute to respiratory distress.

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Register