A nurse is caring for a client in active labor who has meconium staining of the amniotic fluid. The nurse notes a reassuring fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing from the external fetal monitor. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform?

Choice A Reason:

Drinking the glucose solution 2 hours prior to the test is not standard for a 1-hour GTT. Instead, the glucose solution is usually consumed within a short timeframe, such as 5 minutes, and the blood is drawn 1 hour afterward.

Choice B Reason:

Limiting carbohydrate intake for 3 days prior to the test is not a requirement for a 1-hour GTT. However, it may be advised for a longer fasting period or a different type of glucose tolerance test.

Choice C Reason:

C. “A blood glucose of 130 to 140 is considered a positive screening result.”

In the 1-hour glucose tolerance test during pregnancy, a blood glucose level of135 mg/dL or higheris considered a positive screening result. If this threshold is met, further testing (such as the 3-hour glucose tolerance test) is recommended to confirm or rule out gestational diabetes.

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Choice D Reason:

Fasting for 12 hours prior to the test is inappropriate. For a 1-hour GTT, the client is not typically required to fast.

The correct answer is B. Explain to the client this is an expected occurrence.

A. Tell the client to follow up with a dermatologist: While it's always good to encourage clients to seek professional advice if they have concerns, in the context of melasma during pregnancy, it is generally a normal physiological change. A dermatologist may not be needed specifically for this condition unless there are other unusual symptoms.

B. Explain to the client this is an expected occurrence: This is the correct action. It's important for the nurse to reassure the client that blotchy hyperpigmentation on the forehead is a common and expected change during pregnancy. Providing education and support can help alleviate the client's concerns.

C. Instruct the client to increase her intake of vitamin D: Blotchy hyperpigmentation is not typically addressed by increasing vitamin D intake. While adequate nutrition is important during pregnancy, this specific concern is related more to hormonal changes than nutritional deficiencies.

D. Inform the client she might have an allergy to her skin care products: Melasma is primarily related to hormonal changes in pregnancy rather than an allergic reaction to skin care products. While assessing for allergies is essential in certain situations, it may not be the primary concern in this case.