A nurse in a prenatal clinic is conducting a skin assessment of a patient in her second trimester.
Which findings should the nurse anticipate? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A rationale

Iron is an important nutrient during pregnancy as it helps to make the extra blood (hemoglobin) you need to supply oxygen to the baby. However, while iron is important for both mother and baby during pregnancy, it does not specifically help to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus.

Choice B rationale

Calcium is crucial during pregnancy as it helps to build your baby’s bones and teeth. However, calcium does not specifically help to prevent neural tube defects.

Choice C rationale

Vitamin C is important for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body during pregnancy. It helps the body to make collagen, an important protein used to make skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. However, Vitamin C does not specifically help to prevent neural tube defects.

Choice D rationale

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, a type of B vitamin. It’s very important for all people, including pregnant women. It can help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine (neural tube defects). Women who are planning to become pregnant should take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.

Choice A rationale

Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is not the priority nursing action in this situation. While it may be necessary later in the care process, it is not the immediate concern when the client is experiencing a large amount of painless, bright red vaginal bleeding at 38 weeks of gestation. The priority is to stabilize the client and ensure the well-being of the fetus.

Choice B rationale

Witnessing the signature for informed consent for surgery is an important step before any surgical procedure. However, it is not the priority nursing action in this situation. The client’s condition could deteriorate rapidly due to the bleeding, and immediate medical interventions are necessary to stabilize the client and fetus.

Choice C rationale

Preparing the abdominal and perineal areas may be necessary if the client requires a surgical intervention. However, this is not the priority nursing action. The client is experiencing significant bleeding, and the priority is to stabilize the client’s condition.

Choice D rationale

Initiating IV access is the priority nursing action in this situation. The client is experiencing a large amount of painless, bright red vaginal bleeding, which could lead to hypovolemia and shock. IV access allows for the rapid administration of fluids and medications to stabilize the client’s condition.