A nurse is administering terbutaline to a client who is at 31 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor.

Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor as an adverse effect of this medication?

Hypotension

Tachycardia

Hyperglycemia

Hypokalemia

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Tachycardia.

Terbutaline is a medication that can be used to stop or delay preterm labor by relaxing the uterine muscles. However, it can also cause serious side effects for both the mother and the baby. One of the most common side effects of terbutaline is tachycardia, which means a fast or irregular heartbeat. This can lead to chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and even cardiac arrhythmias or ischemia.

Therefore, the nurse should monitor the mother’s heart rate and rhythm closely when administering terbutaline.

Choice A is wrong because terbutaline does not cause hypotension, which means low blood pressure. In fact, terbutaline can increase blood pressure by constricting blood vessels.

Choice C is wrong because terbutaline does not cause hyperglycemia, which means high blood sugar. However, terbutaline can interfere with insulin secretion and glucose metabolism in some cases, especially in diabetic mothers.

Therefore, the nurse should monitor the mother’s blood sugar levels when administering terbutaline.

Choice D is wrong because terbutaline does not cause hypokalemia, which means low potassium levels in the blood. However, terbutaline can cause a temporary increase in potassium levels in the baby, which can affect the baby’s heart function.

Therefore, the nurse should monitor the baby’s heart rate and rhythm when administering terbutaline.

Normal ranges for heart rate are 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults and 120 to 160 beats per minute for fetuses.

Normal ranges for blood pressure are typically between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

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

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Regular uterine contractions occurring every 15 minutes.

This finding suggests that the client may have placental abruption, which is a serious complication that requires immediate medical attention.Placental abruption is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, which can cause heavy bleeding, pain, and fetal distress.

Choice B is wrong because low back pain and pelvic pressure are common symptoms of preterm labor, which is not as urgent as placental abruption.

Choice C is wrong because a change in vaginal discharge is not a specific sign of any complication and may be normal in pregnancy.

Choice D is wrong because rupture of membranes is not a priority finding in this case, unless it is associated with infection or cord prolapse.

A. Hematocrit 45% B. Platelets 150,000/mm3 C. White blood cell count 25,000/mm3 D. Blood glucose 80 mg/dL

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

White blood cell count 25,000/mm3.

This indicates a potential complication of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is the death of intestinal tissue in premature or sick newborns.A high white blood cell count can be a sign of infection or inflammation in the bowel, which are common features of NEC.

Choice A is wrong because hematocrit 45% is within the normal range for newborns.

Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood.

A low hematocrit can indicate blood loss or anemia, which can be complications of NEC, but a normal hematocrit does not rule out NEC.

Choice B is wrong because platelets 150,000/mm3 is also within the normal range for newborns.

Platelets are cells that help the blood clot.A low platelet count can indicate a consumption coagulopathy, which is a bleeding disorder that can occur in severe cases of NEC.

However, a normal platelet count does not exclude NEC.

Choice D is wrong because blood glucose 80 mg/dL is also within the normal range for newborns.

Blood glucose measures the amount of sugar in the blood.

A low blood glucose can indicate hypoglycemia, which can be caused by sepsis or other conditions that mimic NEC, but a normal blood glucose does not eliminate NEC.

View Question and Answer

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

A nurse is administering terbutaline to a client who is at 31 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor as an adverse effect of this medication?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client at 28 weeks of gestation presents with bleeding from the vagina. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a pre-term newborn who was born at 32 weeks of gestation. Which of the following values indicates a potential complication of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is in pre-term labor and has received indomethacin. Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor for as a potential complication of the medication?

A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving terbutaline for pre-term labor. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as a potential adverse effect of the medication?

A nurse is administering terbutaline to a client who is at 31 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor as an adverse effect of this medication?

A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following findings is a risk factor for pre-term labor?

A nurse is preparing to administer betamethasone (Celestone) to a client who is at 31 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. What is the purpose of this medication?

A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who had pre-term labor at 32 weeks of gestation and was prescribed bed rest at home. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A nurse is evaluating the understanding of a client who is at risk for pre-term labor and has been instructed to perform daily home uterine activity monitoring (HUAM). Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing pre-term labor at 32 weeks of gestation and has been prescribed betamethasone. Which of the following outcomes should the nurse expect from this medication?

A nurse is administering terbutaline to a client who is at 31 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor.

Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor as an adverse effect of this medication?