A nurse in a hospital is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and has a large amount of painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. The client is placed on a fetal monitor indicating a regular fetal heart rate of 138/min and no uterine contractions. The client's vital signs are: blood pressure 98/52 mm Hg, heart rate 118/min, respiratory rate 24/min, and temperature 36.4°C (97.6°F). Which of the following is the priority nursing action?

Initiate IV access.

Witness the signature for informed consent for surgery.

Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.

Prepare the abdominal and perineal areas.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason:
In the case of a client with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding at 38 weeks of gestation, the priority is to stabilize the client's condition. Initiating IV access is crucial as it allows for rapid administration of fluids or blood products to address potential hypovolemia and to prepare for the possibility of an emergency cesarean section if needed. The client's low blood pressure and elevated heart rate suggest that she may be experiencing hypovolemia, which can quickly lead to hypovolemic shock if not treated promptly.

Choice B reason:
While obtaining informed consent is important before any surgical procedure, it is not the immediate priority. The priority is to stabilize the client, and consent can be obtained concurrently with other stabilizing actions or by another member of the healthcare team.

Choice C reason:
Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is a supportive measure that can be necessary during labor or before surgery to keep the bladder empty, reducing the risk of bladder injury during a cesarean section and monitoring urine output as an indicator of renal perfusion. However, it is not the first priority in the presence of significant vaginal bleeding.

Choice D reason:
Preparing the abdominal and perineal areas is part of the preoperative procedure for a cesarean section. This action would follow after the client has been stabilized and a decision for surgery has been made.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice a reason:
Monitoring the heart rate is important for any newborn, but it is not the priority intervention for an SGA newborn. SGA newborns are at risk for several complications, but abnormal heart rates are not a primary concern directly related to being small for gestational age.

Choice b reason:
While monitoring weight is a part of routine newborn care and important for tracking growth and development, it is not the most immediate concern for an SGA newborn. The priority is to address potential acute complications that can arise from being small for gestational age.

Choice c reason:
Monitoring axillary temperature is important for maintaining normothermia in newborns, especially those who are SGA, as they have less subcutaneous fat and are more prone to heat loss. However, the most critical and immediate risk for SGA newborns is hypoglycemia, making blood glucose monitoring a higher priority.

Choice d reason:
SGA newborns are at increased risk for hypoglycemia due to their decreased glycogen stores. Therefore, monitoring blood glucose levels is a priority intervention. Hypoglycemia can lead to serious complications such as seizures and brain injury if not promptly identified and treated. It is essential to monitor blood glucose levels frequently and intervene as necessary to maintain them within a normal range.

A. Elevated blood pressure B. Joint pain C. Vaginal discharge D. Increased urine output

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice a reason:
Elevated blood pressure is a primary indicator for preeclampsia, which is a condition characterized by hypertension and often proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. The criteria for hypertension in pregnancy are a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher on two occasions at least 4 hours apart. If a pregnant client presents with elevated blood pressure, it is crucial for the nurse to initiate further evaluation for preeclampsia, as this condition can lead to serious complications for both the mother and the fetus.

Choice b reason:
Joint pain is not a typical sign of preeclampsia. While joint pain can be a symptom experienced during pregnancy due to various physiological changes, it is not specifically associated with preeclampsia and does not warrant further evaluation for this disorder on its own.

Choice c reason:
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is common and can vary in consistency and amount. It is not a specific indicator of preeclampsia unless accompanied by other symptoms such as elevated blood pressure or proteinuria. Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear or milky white and does not indicate the need for preeclampsia evaluation.

Choice d reason:
Increased urine output is not typically associated with preeclampsia. In fact, preeclampsia can sometimes lead to reduced urine output due to kidney impairment. If a client has increased urine output, it may be due to other factors such as increased fluid intake or gestational diabetes.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is planning care for a newborn who is small for gestational age (SGA). Which of the following is the priority intervention the nurse should include in the newborn's plan of care?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client who is pregnant for preeclampsia. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client requires further evaluation for this disorder?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has preeclampsia and is being treated with magnesium sulfate. The client's respiratory rate is 10/min, and deep-tendon reflexes are absent. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse in the emergency department is admitting a client who is at 40 weeks of gestation, has ruptured membranes, and the nurse observes the newborn's head is crowning. The client tells the nurse she wants to push. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

A nurse is caring for a client who is at 40 weeks of gestation and is in active labor. The client has 6 cm of cervical dilation and 100% cervical effacement. The nurse obtains the client's blood pressure reading as 82/52 mm Hg. Which of the following nursing interventions should the nurse perform?

A nurse in a prenatal clinic is caring for a client who is pregnant and asks the nurse for her estimated date of birth (EDB). The client's last menstrual period began on July 27. What is the client's EDB? (State the date in MMDD format. For example, July 27 is 0727.)

A nurse is admitting a client who is at 36 weeks gestation and has painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. The nurse should recognize this finding as an indication of which of the following conditions?

A nurse is observing a new mother bathing her newborn son for the first time. For which of the following actions should the nurse intervene?

A nurse in a clinic is teaching the mother of a 4-month-old infant who has been breastfed. The mother plans to switch her infant to an iron-fortified formula. Which of the following should be included in the teaching?

A nurse is assessing a client for postpartum infection. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client requires further evaluation for endometritis?