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A nurse is caring for a client.

Exhibits

For each assessment finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with placenta previa or abruptio placenta. Each finding may support more than 1 disease process or none at all. There must be at least 1 selection in every column. There does not need to be a selection in every row.

A.

Pain score

B.

Vaginal bleeding characteristics

C.

Hematocrit

D.

Abdominal assessment

E.

Hemoglobin

F.

Blood pressure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"B"},"B":{"answers":"B"},"C":{"answers":"A,B"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"A,B"},"F":{"answers":"A,B"}}

Assessment findings

Placenta previa

Abruptio placenta

Pain score

 

✅

Vaginal bleeding characteristics

 

✅

Hematocrit

✅

✅

Abdominal assessment

 

✅

Hemoglobin

✅

✅

Blood pressure

✅

✅

Rationale:

Pain: The client has abdominal pain, rated 7/10, which is sharp and associated with uterine hypertonicity and tenderness in the left upper quadrant. Placenta previa typically presents with painless bleeding and minimal to no abdominal pain, while abruptio placenta involves severe pain due to placental separation.

Vaginal bleeding: Dark red vaginal bleeding was reported. Placenta previa results in painless bright red bleeding, while abruptio placenta presents with dark red bleeding often accompanied by clots and associated pain.

Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin is 8.1 g/dL, which is low (normal range: 12 to 16 g/dL), indicating blood loss or hemorrhage. Both conditions can lead to low hematocrit and hemoglobin, but abruptio placenta may cause more significant blood loss, leading to a greater decrease in these values.

Hematocrit: The hematocrit is 24%, which is also low (normal range: 36% to 47%), further suggesting blood loss. Both conditions can lead to low hematocrit and hemoglobin, but abruptio placenta may cause more significant blood loss, leading to a greater decrease in these values.

Abdominal assessment: Placenta previa tends to show a soft abdomen with no tenderness, while abruptio placenta causes rigid, board-like abdominal muscles with tenderness, often localized.

Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is 95/62 mm Hg, which is on the lower side but not critically low. Placenta previa typically has normal or slightly low blood pressure, while abruptio placenta can cause hypotension due to significant blood loss and shock.

Fetal Heart Rate: FHR is 116/min, with minimal variability noted, which may indicate fetal distress which can be seen in both conditions.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Spotting or painless vaginal bleeding is a hallmark sign of placenta previa.

B. A board-like abdomen is associated with placental abruption, not placenta previa.

C. Nausea is not a typical symptom of placenta previa.

D. Delayed menses is unrelated to placenta previa and indicates a different condition.

Correct Answer is ["A","D","G","H"]

Explanation

A. Obtain a serum WBC count: A WBC count will help assess for infection, as the client presents with fever, confusion, and urinary symptoms. Elevated WBC could suggest a urinary tract infection (UTI) or other infection.
B. Insert indwelling urinary catheter: An indwelling catheter is not immediately necessary unless the client is unable to void or requires continuous monitoring. Non-invasive methods like obtaining a urine sample for analysis would be a priority.
C. Make the client NPO: There is no indication that the client requires NPO status at this time. Unless surgery or another procedure is planned, this is not necessary.
D. Initiate antibiotic therapy: Given the client's symptoms (fever, confusion, urinary frequency, urgency, and dark urine), a UTI or other infection is likely. Antibiotics are needed to treat the suspected infection.
E. Obtain a consent for surgery: There is no indication that surgery is needed based on the current clinical information. The primary concern is infection, not surgical intervention.
F. Withhold metoprolol: While metoprolol may lower blood pressure, there is no indication to withhold it at this time. The client’s blood pressure is already low, and withholding this medication could worsen hypotension. Any changes in the medication regimen should be made based on further evaluation by the provider.
G. Administer acetaminophen: Acetaminophen is indicated to help reduce the client's fever (39.3°C/102.7°F). Managing the fever will help improve comfort and prevent complications like delirium.
H. Collect urine for urinalysis and culture and sensitivity: Urine analysis and culture will help confirm the presence of a UTI, identify the causative pathogen, and guide appropriate antibiotic therapy.
I. Obtain chest x-ray: A chest x-ray is not necessary unless there is a suspicion of a respiratory infection, such as pneumonia. The symptoms are more consistent with a UTI or systemic infection, so a chest x-ray is not a priority.

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