A nurse is caring for a patient who had an amniocentesis performed at 16 weeks gestation and reports cramping and vaginal bleeding 24 hours later.
Which action should be taken first?
Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Administer pain medication to the patient.
Encourage the patient to rest and elevate her legs.
Offer emotional support and reassurance to the patient.
The Correct Answer is A
This is because cramping and vaginal bleeding 24 hours after amniocentesis are signs of possible complications, such as injury to the baby or mother, leaking of amniotic fluid, infection, Rh sensitization, preterm labor, or miscarriage.
These complications are rare, but they can be serious and require immediate medical attention.
Choice B is wrong because administering pain medication to the patient does not address the underlying cause of the cramping and bleeding, and may delay seeking help.
Choice C is wrong because encouraging the patient to rest and elevate her legs may not prevent further complications, and may also delay seeking help.
Choice D is wrong because offering emotional support and reassurance to the patient is not enough to ensure the safety of the baby and the mother, and may give a false sense of security.
Normal ranges for amniocentesis are:
No chromosomal defects detected in the fetus and no abnormal proteins present in amniotic fluid
No signs of infection or other illness in the baby
Fetal lungs mature enough for birth if delivery is planned sooner than 39 weeks
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Progesterone is responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum and stimulating fetal growth.
Progesterone also prevents miscarriage by relaxing the uterus and maintaining the endometrium.
Choice B is wrong because estrogen is not responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum or stimulating fetal growth.
Estrogen helps develop the female sexual traits and supports the growth of the uterus and placenta.
Choice C is wrong because thyroid hormones are not responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum or stimulating fetal growth.
Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolism and energy levels of the mother and the fetus.
Choice D is wrong because prolactin is not responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum or stimulating fetal growth.
Prolactin stimulates milk production in the breasts after delivery.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Increased renal blood flow is responsible for the increased urinary output during pregnancy.
This is because the renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate increase by 50% to 80% during pregnancy, resulting in more urine production.
Choice A is wrong because the glomerular filtration rate increases, not decreases, during pregnancy.
Choice B is wrong because the tubular reabsorption decreases, not increases, during pregnancy.
This is due to the increased levels of progesterone, which inhibit sodium reabsorption and cause diuresis.
Choice D is wrong because the increased plasma volume is a consequence, not a cause, of the increased renal blood flow.
The plasma volume expands by 30% to 50% during pregnancy to meet the increased metabolic demands of the mother and fetus.
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