A nurse is caring for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation.
The client reports headache, dizziness, and blurred vision for 1 week.
The nurse notes 3+ edema in lower extremities and deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) 3+ with positive clonus.
The fetal heart rate (FHR) is 140 with minimal variability.
The nurse is reviewing the client’s electronic medical record to develop a plan of care.
Which condition is the client most likely experiencing, what are two actions the nurse should take to
Preeclampsia
Chronic hypertension
Neurologic status
Liver function studies
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
The client’s symptoms of headache, dizziness, blurred vision, 3+ edema in lower extremities, deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) 3+ with positive clonus, and a fetal heart rate (FHR) of 140 with minimal variability are indicative of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the liver and kidneys. It usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications for both the mother and baby. To address this condition, the nurse should: Monitor the client’s blood pressure regularly. Administer prescribed medications to control blood pressure and prevent seizures. The nurse should monitor the following parameters to assess the client’s progress: Blood pressure readings: Regular monitoring can help detect any sudden increases, which could indicate worsening preeclampsia. Urine protein levels: Protein in the urine is a common sign of preeclampsia and should be monitored regularly.
Choice B rationale
Chronic hypertension is a possibility, but it does not fully explain the client’s symptoms. While chronic hypertension can cause headaches and dizziness, it does not typically cause 3+ edema in the lower extremities or positive clonus. Furthermore, chronic hypertension would have been present before the pregnancy or diagnosed before the client reached 20 weeks of gestation.
Choice C rationale
While the client’s symptoms of headache, dizziness, and blurred vision could suggest a neurologic issue, the presence of 3+ edema in the lower extremities and positive clonus are more indicative of preeclampsia. Neurologic status would be monitored as part of the care for a client with preeclampsia.
Choice D rationale
Liver function studies would be relevant if there were symptoms or signs suggesting liver involvement such as upper right abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, or jaundice. However, the client’s symptoms are more indicative of preeclampsia.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]
Explanation
The correct answers are Choices C, D, and E.
Choice A rationale
Fetal neck translucency is not typically evaluated during a biophysical profile. It is usually assessed during a first trimester ultrasound to screen for chromosomal abnormalities.
Choice B rationale
Fetal gender is not typically evaluated during a biophysical profile. The focus of a biophysical profile is on assessing the health and well-being of the fetus.
Choice C rationale
Fetal motion is one of the aspects evaluated during a biophysical profile. It is assessed to determine the activity level of the fetus.
Choice D rationale
Fetal breathing is one of the aspects evaluated during a biophysical profile. It is assessed to determine the respiratory function of the fetus.
Choice E rationale
Amniotic fluid volume is one of the aspects evaluated during a biophysical profile. It is assessed to determine the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The client’s symptoms of elevated blood pressure, 3+ edema in the lower extremities, and 3+ proteinuria are indicative of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that begins after 20 weeks of gestation in women whose blood pressure had previously been in the standard range. It is associated with high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the liver and kidneys. In this case, the nurse should initiate seizure precautions and monitor the client’s neurological status and liver function studies. Seizure precautions are necessary because eclampsia, a severe form of preeclampsia, can lead to seizures. Monitoring neurological status can help detect changes in the client’s condition, and liver function studies can help assess the impact of preeclampsia on the liver.
Choice B rationale
While the client does have a history of chronic hypertension, the current symptoms suggest a condition more severe than chronic hypertension. Administering antihypertensive medication and monitoring blood pressure and heart rate would be appropriate actions for managing chronic hypertension, but they may not be sufficient to address the client’s current condition.
Choice C rationale
Gestational diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels that develop during pregnancy in women who did not have diabetes before pregnancy. The client’s symptoms do not indicate gestational diabetes. While administering insulin and monitoring blood glucose levels and fetal heart rate would be appropriate actions for managing gestational diabetes, they do not address the client’s current symptoms.
Choice D rationale
Preterm labor refers to regular contractions of the uterus resulting in changes in the cervix that start before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The client’s symptoms do not suggest preterm labor. Administering tocolytics and monitoring contraction pattern and cervical dilation would be appropriate actions for managing preterm labor, but they do not address the client’s current symptoms.
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