A nurse is caring for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation. The client has a medical history of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia with previous pregnancy, and chronic hypertension for 5 years. The client's vital signs are: BP: 170/104 mm Hg, Pulse: 89/min, Respirations: 20/min, Temperature: 98.8°F (37.1°C) Oral, Oxygen saturation: 97% room air. The nurse is reviewing the client's medical record to develop a plan of care.
What are the two most important nursing interventions for this client?
Monitor the fetal heart rate and movement
Administer magnesium sulfate as prescribed
Encourage the client to drink plenty of fluids
Educate the client about the signs of preterm labor
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Monitoring the fetal heart rate and movement is an important nursing intervention for this client. The client is at risk of fetal distress due to the high blood pressure, the preeclampsia, and the gestational diabetes. The fetal heart rate and movement can indicate the fetal well-being and oxygenation. The nurse should monitor the fetal heart rate continuously and perform a nonstress test or a biophysical profile as indicated.
Choice B rationale
Administering magnesium sulfate as prescribed is an important nursing intervention for this client. The client is at risk of seizures due to the severe preeclampsia. Magnesium sulfate is a medication that prevents and treats seizures in preeclamptic clients. The nurse should administer magnesium sulfate as prescribed and monitor the client's vital signs, reflexes, urine output, and magnesium level.
Choice C rationale
Encouraging the client to drink plenty of fluids is not an important nursing intervention for this client. The client is at risk of fluid overload due to the high blood pressure and the preeclampsia. Fluid overload can cause pulmonary edema, heart failure, and cerebral edema in the client. The nurse should restrict the client's fluid intake and monitor the client's weight, edema, and lung sounds.
Choice D rationale
Educating the client about the signs of preterm labor is not an important nursing intervention for this client. The client is at 34 weeks of gestation, which is close to the term pregnancy. The client is more likely to have a planned delivery or an induction of labor due to the high-risk conditions. The nurse should educate the client about the signs of preeclampsia, such as headache, blurred vision, epigastric pain, and decreased urine output.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
As labor begins, the cervix starts to soften, shorten and thin (efface). This process is often expressed in percentages¹. This is a sign of true labor².
Choice B rationale
The station of the presenting part refers to the position of the baby's head in relation to the mother's pelvis. While it can indicate progress in labor, it is not a definitive sign of true labor.
Choice C rationale
Rupture of the membranes, or water breaking, can occur before or during labor. However, it is not a reliable sign of true labor as it can also occur in preterm labor or even without contractions.
Choice D rationale
The pattern of contractions can be a sign of labor. True labor contractions are regular, increase in intensity, and do not ease up with change in activity or position². However, contractions alone are not a definitive sign of true labor as they can also occur in false labor (Braxton Hicks contractions).
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Risk for injury related to seizures is an important nursing diagnosis for this client. The client is at risk of seizures due to the severe preeclampsia and the high blood pressure. Seizures can cause injury to the client and the fetus, as well as complications such as aspiration, cerebral hemorrhage, and coma. The nurse should monitor the client's neurological status, administer anticonvulsants as prescribed, and protect the client from injury during a seizure.
Choice B rationale
Impaired gas exchange related to pulmonary edema is an important nursing diagnosis for this client. The client is at risk of pulmonary edema due to the fluid overload and the high blood pressure. Pulmonary edema can impair the gas exchange and oxygen delivery to the client and the fetus, as well as cause respiratory distress, heart failure, and death. The nurse should monitor the client's respiratory status, administer oxygen as prescribed, and restrict the fluid intake.
Choice C rationale
Deficient fluid volume related to diuresis is not an important nursing diagnosis for this client. The client is not at risk of deficient fluid volume, but rather fluid overload. Diuresis is the increased production and excretion of urine, which can cause fluid loss and dehydration. The client does not have any signs of diuresis, such as increased urine output, decreased specific gravity, or weight loss.
Choice D rationale
Ineffective tissue perfusion related to placental abruption is not an important nursing diagnosis for this client. The client is not at risk of placental abruption, but rather uteroplacental insufficiency. Placental abruption is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, which can cause bleeding, pain, and fetal distress. The client does not have any signs of placental abruption, such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal tenderness, or fetal heart rate abnormalities.
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