A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports lower abdominal cramping.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Assess the client’s vital signs

Perform a sterile vaginal exam

Administer tocolytic medication

Monitor the fetal heart rate

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Assess the client’s vital signs.

The nurse should first assess the client’s vital signs to determine the severity of the situation and identify any signs of infection, bleeding, or shock.

The nurse should also monitor the fetal heart rate to assess fetal well-being.

Choice B is wrong because a sterile vaginal exam is not indicated for a client who reports lower abdominal cramping and may increase the risk of infection or rupture of membranes.

Choice C is wrong because administering tocolytic medication is not the first action the nurse should take.

Tocolytic medication may be used to inhibit uterine contractions and prolong pregnancy, but only after assessing the client’s and fetus’s condition and obtaining a prescription from the provider.

Choice D is wrong because monitoring the fetal heart rate is not the first action the nurse should take.

Monitoring the fetal heart rate is important to assess fetal well-being, but it does not take priority over assessing the client’s vital signs.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Referral to community services for support.

A client in preterm labor who is being discharged from the hospital needs to have a discharge plan that includes education, follow-up care, and support services.A referral to community services for support can help the client cope with the stress and anxiety of preterm labor, access resources such as home health care or social workers, and prevent complications or recurrence of preterm labor.

B. Encouragement to smoke in moderation is wrong because smoking is harmful for both the mother and the baby.

Smoking can increase the risk of preterm labor, low birth weight, placental abruption, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).Smoking should be avoided completely during pregnancy and after delivery.

C. Instructions for heavy lifting and strenuous exercise is wrong because these activities can trigger uterine contractions and increase the risk of preterm labor.

A client in preterm labor should rest as much as possible and avoid physical exertion.The client should also avoid sexual intercourse, which can stimulate the cervix and cause bleeding or infection.

D. Recommendation to avoid kangaroo care is wrong because kangaroo care is a method of holding a newborn skin-to-skin with the mother or father.

Kangaroo care can have many benefits for preterm babies, such as improving temperature regulation, breathing, heart rate, feeding, bonding, and growth.Kangaroo care can also reduce stress and pain for both the baby and the parent.

A. Decreased platelet count B. Increased serum creatinine C. Decreased hematocrit D. Increased serum potassium

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause renal impairment and elevated serum creatinine levels in both the mother and the fetus.This can lead to oligohydramnios, reduced fetal urine output, and fetal renal failure.

Therefore, the nurse should monitor the serum creatinine levels of the client and the fetus as a potential complication of indomethacin.

Choice A is wrong because indomethacin does not affect the platelet count.It may increase the risk of bleeding due to its antiplatelet effect, but it does not cause thrombocytopenia.

Choice C is wrong because indomethacin does not cause anemia or decrease the hematocrit.It may cause gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration, which could lead to anemia, but this is not a common or direct effect of the medication.

Choice D is wrong because indomethacin does not cause hyperkalemia or increase the serum potassium levels.It may cause hyponatremia due to its effect on renal sodium excretion, but it does not affect potassium balance.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports lower abdominal cramping. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client in pre-term labor is being discharged from the hospital. What should the nurse include in the client's discharge plan?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is in pre-term labor and has received indomethacin. Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor for as a potential complication of the medication?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is evaluating a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following findings indicates that the client’s condition is improving?

A nurse is reviewing the ultrasound report of a client who is at 31 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following findings indicates oligohydramnios?

A nurse is administering betamethasone to a client who is in pre-term labor at 28 weeks of gestation. The nurse should explain that the purpose of this medication is to:

A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy for a client who is in pre-term labor. Which of the following findings indicates that the therapy is successful?

A nurse is assessing a pre-term newborn who was born at 28 weeks of gestation. Which of the following findings indicates a possible diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)?

A nurse is educating a client who is at risk for pre-term labor about measures to prevent it from occurring. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A nurse is assessing a client who is in pre-term labor and has received one dose of terbutaline subcutaneously. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A nurse is teaching a client who is pregnant about the risk factors for pre-term labor. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports lower abdominal cramping.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?