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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":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"A"},"F":{"answers":"B"}}

Explanation

Nursing action

Anticipated

Contraindicated

Obtain consent for cesarean birth

✅

Provide intermittent fetal heart rate monitoring

✅

Administer oxygen 10 L via face mask

✅

Prepare the client for an amnioinfusion

✅

Initiate IV bolus lactated Ringer’s

✅

Insert a urinary catheter

✅

Rationale:

Obtain consent for cesarean birth: This is anticipated because the client is presenting with uterine contractions, vaginal bleeding, and abdominal pain, which may indicate complications such as placental abruption or abnormal placental attachment, potentially requiring a cesarean birth for the safety of both the mother and fetus.

Provide intermittent fetal heart rate monitoring: This is anticipated as it is essential to monitor fetal well-being, especially with the reported minimal fetal heart rate variability and potential for fetal distress.

Administer oxygen 10 L via face mask: This is anticipated to improve oxygenation, especially if there is a risk of fetal distress or compromised perfusion due to maternal blood loss.

Prepare the client for an amnioinfusion: This is contraindicated in the setting of vaginal bleeding and suspected placental abruption, as amnioinfusion is typically used for conditions such as oligohydramnios, and it could increase the risk of additional complications in this case.

Initiate IV bolus lactated Ringer’s: This is anticipated as the client has signs of hypovolemic shock due to blood loss, and an IV bolus would be necessary to improve fluid volume and blood pressure.

Insert a urinary catheter: This is contraindicated unless clinically necessary, as urinary catheterization may not be indicated in the immediate management of placental issues or bleeding complications without further evaluation, and it could introduce an infection risk.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Oral hygiene is important but not necessary before postural drainage.

B. Using a bronchodilator such as albuterol before postural drainage helps open the airways, making it easier to clear mucus.

C. Eating a meal before postural drainage can increase the risk of aspiration.

D. Pancrelipase is used to aid digestion and is taken before meals, not before postural drainage.

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