A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is 36 weeks of gestation and reported to the clinic for a routine visit.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?.
Blood pressure.
Cerebral manifestations.
Fetal heart rate.
Respiratory rate.
Deep tendon reflexes.
Gastrointestinal assessment findings.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
Blood pressure. The nurse does not need to report the blood pressure because it is not mentioned in the given information that there is any abnormality or concern related to the client's blood pressure. Therefore, it is not a priority finding to report.
Choice B reason:
Cerebral manifestations. There is no mention of cerebral manifestations in the nurse's notes. Since there are no reported neurological symptoms or abnormalities, the nurse does not need to report cerebral manifestations to the provider.
Choice C reason:
Fetal heart rate. The nurse should report the fetal heart rate to the provider because it is an essential parameter to monitor during prenatal care. A normal fetal heart rate ranges from 110 to 160 beats per minute, and in this case, the fetal heart rate is 158/min, which falls within the normal range. However, it is still necessary to inform the provider about this vital sign for documentation and reassurance.
Choice D reason:
Respiratory rate. The respiratory rate is not mentioned in the nurse's notes, and there are no indications of any respiratory issues or concerns. Therefore, it is not necessary to report the respiratory rate to the provider based on the information provided.
Choice E reason:
Deep tendon reflexes. The nurse notes that the patellar reflex is 3+ and clonus is negative. These findings are within the normal range and do not require reporting to the provider.
Choice F reason:
Gastrointestinal assessment findings. The nurse's notes do not mention any abnormal gastrointestinal assessment findings. Since there are no indications of gastrointestinal issues, the nurse does not need to report any gastrointestinal findings to the provider.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Excessive uterine enlargement. Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client for excessive uterine enlargement, as a hydatidiform mole is a rare condition in pregnancy where abnormal placental tissue forms instead of a fetus. This abnormal growth can lead to uterine enlargement beyond the expected size for gestational age.
Choice B rationale:
Rapidly dropping human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. Rationale: The nurse should also monitor the client's hCG levels. In a normal pregnancy, hCG levels typically rise steadily during the early stages. However, in the case of a hydatidiform mole, hCG levels may either plateau or drop rapidly due to the abnormal placental growth.
Choice C rationale:
Fetal heart rate irregularities. Rationale: Although a hydatidiform mole does not involve a viable fetus, the nurse should still assess for fetal heart rate irregularities. In some rare cases, the presence of abnormal placental tissue can cause confusion in the diagnosis, and there may be coexisting fetal development. Fetal heart rate irregularities may indicate potential complications.
Choice D rationale:
Whitish vaginal discharge. Rationale: Whitish vaginal discharge is not typically associated with a hydatidiform mole. Instead, this finding is more commonly seen in other vaginal infections or conditions unrelated to a molar pregnancy. The nurse should be cautious not to misinterpret this symptom as a definitive sign of a hydatidiform mole.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding at 36 weeks gestation is indicative of placenta previa. Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, leading to bleeding as the cervix begins to efface and dilate. The bright red color of the blood is due to its fresh origin from the exposed placental vessels. This condition is painless because the bleeding occurs without uterine contractions.
Choice B rationale:
Preterm labor is not the correct answer in this scenario. Preterm labor refers to the onset of regular uterine contractions leading to cervical changes before 37 weeks of gestation. In this case, the key indicator is painless bleeding, which is not associated with uterine contractions.
Choice C rationale:
Threatened abortion is also not the correct answer. Threatened abortion is the term used when a pregnant woman experiences vaginal bleeding, but the cervix is closed, indicating that there is still a chance for the pregnancy to continue. However, the bleeding in placenta previa is unrelated to fetal viability and is specifically caused by the placental position.
Choice D rationale:
Abruptio placentae is not the correct answer either. Abruptio placentae, also known as placental abruption, is a condition where the placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall before delivery. This can cause painful bleeding due to the blood being trapped between the placenta and uterine wall. In the given scenario, the bleeding is described as painless, which does not align with the characteristics of abruptio placentae.
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