A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of HELLP syndrome.
The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following complications? (Select all that apply.)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Acute kidney injury
Pulmonary edema
Placental abruption
Fetal growth restriction
Correct Answer : A,C,D,E
The correct answer is choice A, C, D and E. Here is why:
• Choice A is correct because disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a blood clotting disorder that can develop as a complication of HELLP syndrome. DIC can result in excessive bleeding or blood clots in various organs.
• Choice B is wrong because acute kidney injury is not a common complication of HELLP syndrome. However, preeclampsia can cause kidney damage and proteinuria (high levels of protein in the urine).
• Choice C is correct because pulmonary edema is a condition where fluid accumulates in and around the lungs, impairing oxygen absorption. It can occur as a complication of HELLP syndrome due to high blood pressure and fluid overload.
• Choice D is correct because placental abruption is a condition where the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery.
It can cause severe bleeding and fetal distress. It can occur as a complication of HELLP syndrome due to high blood pressure and abnormal blood clotting.
• Choice E is correct because fetal growth restriction is a condition where the fetus does not grow as expected. It can occur as a complication of HELLP syndrome due to reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to the placenta.
Normal ranges for liver enzymes are:
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): 7 to 55 units per liter (U/L)
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 8 to 48 U/L
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): 45 to 115 U/L
Normal range for platelet count is:
• 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microlitre.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The client has no seizures.Magnesium sulfate therapy is used to prevent seizures in women with preeclampsia and eclampsia.Seizures are a life-threatening complication of eclampsia and indicate a failure of therapy.
Choice B is wrong because diuresis is not a goal of magnesium sulfate therapy.Diuresis may indicate fluid overload or renal impairment, which are complications of preeclampsia and eclampsia.
Choice C is wrong because improved fetal movement is not a direct outcome of magnesium sulfate therapy.Fetal movement may be affected by many factors, such as gestational age, maternal position, and fetal well-being.
Choice D is wrong because increased platelet count is not a result of magnesium sulfate therapy.Platelet count may be decreased in preeclampsia and eclampsia due to disseminated intravascular coagulation, which is a serious complication that requires prompt treatment.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are less than 140/90 mm Hg, for proteinuria are less than 300 mg/24 hours, for platelet count are 150,000 to 400,000/mm3, and for serum magnesium are 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Level of consciousness.
This is because magnesium sulfate, which is given to prevent seizures in severe preeclampsia, can cause respiratory depression and coma if the dose is too high.Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client’s level of consciousness and respiratory rate closely and report any signs of toxicity to the provider.
Choice A is wrong because hourly intake and output is not the most important assessment for this client.However, the nurse should monitor the urinary output as a sign of renal function and fluid balance and report any output less than 30 ml per hour.
Choice B is wrong because deep tendon reflexes are not the most important assessment for this client.However, the nurse should check the reflexes as a sign of neuromuscular irritability and report any hyperreflexia or clonus.
Choice C is wrong because lung sounds are not the most important assessment for this client.However, the nurse should auscultate the lungs as a sign of pulmonary edema and report any crackles or wheezes.
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