A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is in labor about why epidural anesthesia is not initiated until a good labor pattern has been established. Which of the following explanations should the nurse include?

Choice A rationale :

Hypercalcemia - The nurse does not need to monitor for hypercalcemia in this scenario. Hypercalcemia refers to high levels of calcium in the blood, and it is not directly related to the newborn's weight or the mother's diabetes mellitus.

Choice B rationale

Hypobilirubinemia - Hypobilirubinemia is low levels of bilirubin in the blood and is not a major concern for a newborn's weight or the mother's diabetes mellitus. Although jaundice (high bilirubin levels) can be a concern in newborns, it is not the focus in this case.

Choice C rationale

Hypoglycemia - This is the correct choice. Newborns of diabetic mothers are at risk of developing hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar levels. The baby receives excess glucose from the mother during pregnancy, and after birth, insulin production may be higher than needed, leading to low blood sugar levels. Monitoring for hypoglycemia is crucial to prevent potential complications.

Choice D rationale

Decreased RBC - The nurse does not need to monitor for decreased red blood cells (RBC) specifically related to the newborn's weight or the mother's diabetes mellitus. Monitoring RBC levels is important for other conditions, but it is not the primary concern in this case.

Choice A rationale:

Visual disturbances should be reported to the provider because the client is experiencing headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness, which can be signs of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can develop during pregnancy and is characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs like the liver and kidneys. Visual disturbances may indicate neurological involvement and can pose a risk to both the client and the fetus.

Choice B rationale:

Blood pressure should be reported to the provider due to the client's symptoms and medical history. The client's weight gain, swelling of feet and fingers, and 2+ pitting edema suggest fluid retention, which can be associated with preeclampsia. High blood pressure is a key diagnostic criterion for preeclampsia, and the nurse must monitor it closely to assess the severity of the condition and the potential risk to both the client and the fetus.

Choice C rationale:

Respirations do not appear to be a significant concern based on the information provided. While respiratory status is important to monitor during pregnancy, there are no indications in the scenario to suggest respiratory distress or abnormalities that require immediate reporting to the provider.

Choice D rationale:

Deep tendon reflexes are mentioned in the client's medical history but do not show any immediate signs of concern. Absent clonus and 3+ deep tendon reflexes are within the normal range and not typically alarming during pregnancy. However, the nurse should continue to monitor these reflexes during subsequent visits.

Choice E rationale:

Weight gain is mentioned in the medical history but is not currently a critical finding to report. A 6 lb weight gain over 2 weeks may be considered appropriate for a pregnant client at 32 weeks of gestation, but it should be assessed in conjunction with other symptoms for a comprehensive evaluation.