A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is 15 weeks pregnant about to undergo amniocentesis. This test can identify which traits or problems? Select all that apply.

Choice A rationale:
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on or within an ovary. They are a common condition, affecting up to 1 in 5 women at some point in their lives. While most ovarian cysts are benign (non-cancerous), they can sometimes cause symptoms, including pelvic pain.
Ultrasound is a common imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of internal organs. It can be used to detect ovarian cysts, which often appear as fluid-filled sacs on the ovary.
The presence of an ovarian cyst on ultrasound, combined with the patient's symptoms of lower abdominal pelvic pain, suggests that the patient is at risk of developing complications from the cyst. These complications can include: Rupture: A ruptured ovarian cyst can cause sudden, severe pain and bleeding.
Torsion: This is when a cyst twists on its stalk, cutting off its blood supply. Torsion can also cause severe pain and may require emergency surgery.

Choice B rationale:
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small, finger-shaped organ located in the lower right abdomen. It is a common cause of abdominal pain, especially in young adults.

However, the patient in this scenario is experiencing pain in the lower abdominal pelvic region, not specifically in the lower right quadrant. This makes appendicitis less likely.
Additionally, the patient does not have any other symptoms that are typically associated with appendicitis, such as fever, nausea, or vomiting.

Choice C rationale:
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus. It can cause pain, especially during menstruation.
However, the patient in this scenario does not report cyclical pain, which is a hallmark symptom of endometriosis. Additionally, endometriosis is not typically associated with the presence of fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries.

Choice D rationale:
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the upper genital tract, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It is often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
PID can cause pelvic pain, but it is also typically associated with other symptoms, such as fever, vaginal discharge, and irregular bleeding.
The patient in this scenario does not have any of these other symptoms, and her white blood cell count is not elevated, which makes PID less likely.

Choice A rationale:

Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta covers all or part of the cervix. It's a serious complication that can cause heavy bleeding during pregnancy and childbirth. However, it's not a direct complication of maternal gestational diabetes.

Choice B rationale:

Newborn hypoglycemia is a condition in which a newborn's blood sugar levels are too low. It can occur in infants of mothers with gestational diabetes, but it's not the most common or significant complication associated with the condition.

Choice C rationale:

Oligohydramnios is a condition characterized by a low amount of amniotic fluid around the baby. It can be associated with maternal gestational diabetes, but it's not as common as other complications, such as macrosomia (large for gestational age baby).

Choice D rationale:

Small for gestational age (SGA) newborn refers to a baby who is smaller than expected for their gestational age. It can be caused by several factors, including restricted intrauterine growth, which can be associated with maternal gestational diabetes. However, it's not the most direct or common complication of the condition.

Choice E rationale:

Maternal gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. It's the most common metabolic complication of pregnancy and can lead to several serious health risks for both the mother and baby. These risks include:

Macrosomia (large for gestational age baby): High blood sugar levels in the mother can cause the baby to grow excessively large, leading to complications during labor and delivery, such as shoulder dystocia, birth injuries, and cesarean delivery. Preeclampsia: Gestational diabetes increases the risk of preeclampsia, a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It can affect multiple organs, including the liver and kidneys, and can be life-threatening for both mother and baby.

Premature birth: Women with gestational diabetes are more likely to deliver their babies prematurely, which can lead to health problems for the baby, such as respiratory distress syndrome, feeding difficulties, and developmental delays.

Neonatal hypoglycemia: Newborns of mothers with gestational diabetes are at increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) after birth due to the sudden withdrawal of maternal glucose supply. This can cause seizures, brain damage, and even death if not promptly treated.

Type 2 diabetes later in life: Both mother and child are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.