A nurse is caring for a client in the prenatal clinic who has a possible ectopic pregnancy at 8 weeks of gestation. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Severe nausea and vomiting.
Pelvic pain.
Uterine enlargement greater than expected for gestational age.
Copious vaginal bleeding.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Severe nausea and vomiting are not indicative of an ectopic pregnancy. While nausea and vomiting are common symptoms in early pregnancy, they are not specific to ectopic pregnancies. These symptoms are more likely associated with typical pregnancy changes.
Choice B rationale:
Pelvic pain is a crucial finding that the nurse should expect in a possible ectopic pregnancy. As the pregnancy implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube, it can cause sharp and severe pain in the pelvic region. This pain may be unilateral and can be accompanied by shoulder pain due to blood or fluid irritating the diaphragm.
Choice C rationale:
Uterine enlargement greater than expected for gestational age is not likely in an ectopic pregnancy. In fact, uterine enlargement may not be noticeable at all in an ectopic pregnancy since the embryo is not developing in the uterus.
Choice D rationale:
Copious vaginal bleeding is more commonly associated with miscarriages or other complications in intrauterine pregnancies. In an ectopic pregnancy, vaginal bleeding may occur, but it is typically lighter and often described as spotting.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Rh incompatibility is not relevant in this scenario. Rh incompatibility refers to a condition where the mother's blood is Rh-negative, and the baby's blood is Rh-positive, which can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn. However, this condition is unrelated to the client's current presentation of heavy, red vaginal bleeding without contractions.
Choice B rationale:
Frequency and duration of contractions are not the primary concern in this situation. The client's main complaint is heavy vaginal bleeding without contractions, which indicates a potential issue with the placenta or other pregnancy-related problems.
Choice C rationale:
Fetal lung maturity is not the priority at this stage. The client is at 38 weeks of gestation, which is considered full term. Fetal lung maturity is typically assessed if there's a need for early delivery, which is not indicated in this scenario.
Choice D rationale:
The correct choice. The client is experiencing heavy, red vaginal bleeding, which may be a sign of placental abruption, where the placenta separates from the uterine wall prematurely. Determining the location of the placenta through an ultrasound can help identify if placental abruption is the cause of bleeding. Placental abruption can be a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Visual disturbances should be reported to the provider because the client is experiencing headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness, which can be signs of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can develop during pregnancy and is characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs like the liver and kidneys. Visual disturbances may indicate neurological involvement and can pose a risk to both the client and the fetus.
Choice B rationale:
Blood pressure should be reported to the provider due to the client's symptoms and medical history. The client's weight gain, swelling of feet and fingers, and 2+ pitting edema suggest fluid retention, which can be associated with preeclampsia. High blood pressure is a key diagnostic criterion for preeclampsia, and the nurse must monitor it closely to assess the severity of the condition and the potential risk to both the client and the fetus.
Choice C rationale:
Respirations do not appear to be a significant concern based on the information provided. While respiratory status is important to monitor during pregnancy, there are no indications in the scenario to suggest respiratory distress or abnormalities that require immediate reporting to the provider.
Choice D rationale:
Deep tendon reflexes are mentioned in the client's medical history but do not show any immediate signs of concern. Absent clonus and 3+ deep tendon reflexes are within the normal range and not typically alarming during pregnancy. However, the nurse should continue to monitor these reflexes during subsequent visits.
Choice E rationale:
Weight gain is mentioned in the medical history but is not currently a critical finding to report. A 6 lb weight gain over 2 weeks may be considered appropriate for a pregnant client at 32 weeks of gestation, but it should be assessed in conjunction with other symptoms for a comprehensive evaluation.
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