A nurse in an outpatient clinic is assessing a client who is pregnant for unsafe behaviors during pregnancy. Which of the following findings indicates a need for further evaluation?

Rationale:
A. Ask an experienced nurse to assist with the procedure: Seeking assistance from an experienced nurse promotes patient safety and supports proper skill development. The newly licensed nurse can observe, perform the procedure under supervision, and ensure that the client receives competent care while staying within professional practice boundaries.

B. Delegate the task to an assistive personnel: Tracheal suctioning is a sterile and invasive procedure that requires nursing judgment and assessment, which are outside the scope of practice for assistive personnel.

C. Identify that the task is in the scope of RN practice and perform the suctioning: Although tracheal suctioning is within an RN’s scope, the nurse should not perform it independently without adequate training or supervision.

D. Refuse to take the assignment: Refusing the assignment entirely is inappropriate because the nurse has a duty to provide care within their level of competence. Instead, the nurse should seek guidance and supervision to safely complete the procedure.

Rationale:
A. Decreased serum uric acid: In preeclampsia, serum uric acid levels are elevated, not decreased, due to reduced renal clearance and tissue ischemia. Increased uric acid is often one of the earliest laboratory indicators of preeclampsia.

B. Increased protein in urine: Proteinuria is a key diagnostic feature of preeclampsia resulting from glomerular endothelial damage that increases permeability to proteins. The presence of protein in the urine reflects kidney involvement and helps distinguish preeclampsia from gestational hypertension.

C. Increased platelet count: Preeclampsia is typically associated with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) due to platelet aggregation and consumption within damaged blood vessels. An increased platelet count would not be expected in this condition.

D. Decreased BUN: In preeclampsia, renal perfusion is reduced, leading to elevated BUN and creatinine levels. A decrease in BUN would indicate improved kidney function, which is inconsistent with the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.