A nurse is caring for a client who is pregnant.

Exhibits

The nurse is reviewing the client's medical record.
Select 4 findings that indicate a potential prenatal complication.

Rationale:
A. A client who describes feeling disconnected from those around him following the hurricane: Emotional detachment or a sense of estrangement from others is a hallmark symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

B. A client who describes having persistent feelings of anger about the hurricane: Ongoing irritability, anger, or emotional outbursts several months after a traumatic event may indicate unresolved trauma or hyperarousal, which are common features of PTSD.

C. A client who has frequent nightmares about the hurricane: Recurrent distressing dreams or flashbacks related to the traumatic event are hallmark re-experiencing symptoms of PTSD. Such nightmares suggest the trauma continues to affect the client’s sleep and mental health, justifying referral for further assessment.

D. A client who moved to an apartment located on higher ground than her previous home: Moving to a new location demonstrates adaptive coping and an effort to regain a sense of safety. This behavior does not indicate the presence of PTSD symptoms.

E. A client who expresses a realization that life will not return to the way it was before the hurricane: Acceptance and acknowledgment of change represent a healthy adjustment process. While grief or sadness may accompany this awareness, it reflects adaptation rather than pathological stress or trauma.

Rationale:

• Deep tendon patellar reflex: The reflex response decreased from 4+ to 2+, demonstrating a reduction in hyperreflexia. This improvement indicates effective magnesium sulfate therapy, showing decreased neuromuscular irritability and a lower risk of progression to eclampsia.

• Blood pressure: The blood pressure declined from 166/110 mm Hg to 152/90 mm Hg, reflecting effective antihypertensive therapy and improved vascular tone. This moderate reduction suggests that labetalol and magnesium sulfate are successfully controlling severe preeclampsia symptoms.

• Heart rate: The heart rate remained within normal parameters (72–90/min) across both days, showing stable cardiac function without significant deviation. This consistency indicates no notable change in hemodynamic status related to treatment.

• Edema: The client continues to exhibit +3 pitting edema in both lower extremities, reflecting persistent fluid retention and endothelial dysfunction. This ongoing finding suggests that intravascular fluid shifts typical of preeclampsia have not yet resolved.