A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a 19-year-old female client who is at 18 weeks of gestation. The client presents with reports of nausea and vomiting for the past several weeks, which has worsened in severity. The client states that she has been unable to retain even clear fluids for the past 48 hours. The client reports no pain but has a history of migraines and asthma.

Exhibits

The correct answer is choiced. Inform the client about the possible need for reduction of multiple fetuses.

Choice A rationale:

Instructing the client not to use donor oocytes is not accurate.Donor oocytes can be a viable option for clients with certain infertility issues, such as ovarian insufficiency or genetic concerns.

Choice B rationale:

Informing the client that sperm will be introduced to the uterus during ovulation is incorrect.In vitro fertilization involves fertilizing the eggs outside the body in a laboratory setting, not directly introducing sperm into the uterus.

Choice C rationale:

Instructing the client to avoid freezing embryos for possible use in the future is not appropriate.Freezing embryos is a common practice in IVF to allow for future attempts if the initial cycle is unsuccessful.

Choice D rationale:

Informing the client about the possible need for reduction of multiple fetuses is correct.IVF can result in multiple pregnancies, and in some cases, fetal reduction may be recommended to ensure the health and safety of the mother and remaining fetuses.

Choice A rationale: The client’s temperature is 38.3°C (101°F), which is above the normal range (36.5-37.2°C or 97.7-99°F). This could indicate an infection, which is a common postpartum complication. Fever in the postpartum period can be due to endometritis, wound infection, mastitis, or urinary tract infection. Given the client’s report of a burning sensation during urination, a urinary tract infection could be a possibility. This finding requires immediate follow-up.

Choice B rationale: The client’s pulse rate is 110/min, which is above the normal range (60-100/min). This could indicate tachycardia, which can be a response to fever, pain, anxiety, or blood loss. Given the client’s elevated temperature and report of pain, this finding requires immediate follow-up.

Choice C rationale: The client’s respiratory rate is 22/min, which is within the normal range (12-20/min). While it’s slightly elevated, it’s not as concerning as the other findings. However, the nurse should continue to monitor the client’s respiratory rate along with other vital signs.

Choice D rationale: The client’s blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg, which is higher than the normal range (90-120/60-80 mm Hg). This could indicate hypertension, which can be a complication in the postpartum period. Hypertension can lead to complications such as preeclampsia or eclampsia, which can be life-threatening. This finding requires immediate follow-up.

Choice E rationale: The client has a large amount of lochia rubra. Lochia rubra is normal for the first few days after delivery, but a large amount could indicate postpartum hemorrhage, especially if it’s accompanied by signs of hypovolemia such as tachycardia and hypotension. This finding requires immediate follow-up.

Choice F rationale: The client reports pain as 5 on a scale of 0 to 10. While pain is expected after a vaginal delivery, especially with an episiotomy, it should be manageable with analgesics. If the client’s pain is not well-controlled, it could indicate a complication such as infection or hematoma at the episiotomy site. However, given the information provided, this finding does not require immediate follow-up as much as the others.

Choice G rationale: The client has 3+ peripheral edema in bilateral lower extremities. While some edema is normal during pregnancy and the postpartum period, 3+ edema could indicate a complication such as deep vein thrombosis, especially if it’s accompanied by pain, warmth, or redness. This finding requires immediate follow-up.