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

History of urinary tract infections.According to the Mayo Clinic, untreated vaginal infections, such as urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted infections, are risk factors for preterm labor.

These infections can cause inflammation and irritation of the cervix, which can trigger contractions and cervical dilation.

Choice B is wrong because maternal age of 25 years is not a risk factor for preterm labor.In fact, women younger than 18 or older than 35 are more likely to have a preterm delivery.

Choice C is wrong because singleton pregnancy is not a risk factor for preterm labor.On the contrary, being pregnant with twins, triplets, or more (called "multiple gestations") is associated with a higher risk of preterm labor and birth.

Choice D is wrong because cervical length of 3 cm is not a risk factor for preterm labor.A short cervix (less than 2.5 cm) or a cervix that shortens in the second trimester instead of the third trimester is a risk factor for preterm delivery.A normal cervical length ranges from 3 to 5 cm during pregnancy.

A. Asthma B. Diabetes mellitus C. Hypertension D. Cardiac disease

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to relax uterine contractions and postpone preterm labor.However, it can also lower blood pressure and cause side effects such as headache, dizziness, flushing, and palpitations.Therefore, it should be avoided in clients who have cardiac disease or other conditions that affect the heart function.

Choice A is wrong because asthma is not a contraindication for nifedipine.Nifedipine does not affect the airways or cause bronchospasm.

Choice B is wrong because diabetes mellitus is not a contraindication for nifedipine.Nifedipine does not affect blood glucose levels or insulin secretion.

Choice C is wrong because hypertension is not a contraindication for nifedipine.In fact, nifedipine can be used to treat high blood pressure as well as preterm labor.However, blood pressure should be monitored closely during nifedipine therapy to avoid hypotension.

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 nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following findings is a risk factor for pre-term labor?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is preparing to administer nifedipine to a client who is in pre-term labor. The nurse should withhold the medication and notify the provider if the client has which of the following conditions?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate for pre-term labor. Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the medication?

A nurse is caring for a pregnant client at 36 weeks of gestation who reports low back pain and pelvic pressure. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

A nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client who is at 25 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor that was successfully stopped with tocolytic therapy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is admitting a client who is in pre-term labor at 34 weeks of gestation and has ruptured membranes and oligohydramnios. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A nurse is preparing to perform an amniocentesis on a client who is at 27 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take before the procedure?

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 33 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. The client reports a sudden gush of fluid from her vagina. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A client at 28 weeks of gestation presents with bleeding from the vagina. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize?

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?