A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parents of an infant who has a Pavlik harness.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale:

Performing a vaginal examination every 12 hours is not necessary in this case. The client is not in labor and there are no indications of any complications that would require frequent vaginal examinations.

Choice B rationale:

The client’s symptoms of severe headache, +3 pitting edema in bilateral lower extremities, and a patellar reflex of 4+ without the presence of clonus are indicative of severe preeclampsia. Antihypertensive medications are often used to manage high blood pressure in preeclampsia.

Choice C rationale:

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of delivering prematurely to help mature the baby’s lungs. Given that the client is at 31 weeks of gestation and has had a previous preterm birth, administering betamethasone would be appropriate.

Choice D rationale:

A low-stimulation environment can help reduce blood pressure and prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia.

Choice E rationale:

Bed rest can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the placenta, which can be beneficial for the baby.

Choice F rationale:

Monitoring intake and output every hour can help assess kidney function, which can be affected by preeclampsia.

Choice G rationale:

A 24-hour urine specimen can provide information about protein levels in the urine, which can indicate the severity of preeclampsia. It’s important to note that normal ranges for lab parameters can vary slightly depending on the lab, but generally, protein levels in a 24-hour urine specimen should be less than 300 mg. Pitting edema is usually graded on a scale of 1+ (mild) to 4+ (severe), and a patellar reflex of 4+ is considered hyperactive and may indicate nervous system hyperexcitability seen in severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.

The correct answer is: B. Secure the tubing with adhesive tape to the lower abdomen.

Choice A rationale: Instructing the client to hold the drainage bag at waist height when ambulating is incorrect because the drainage bag should always be kept below the level of the bladder to prevent urine reflux, which can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Choice B rationale: Securing the tubing with adhesive tape to the lower abdomen is correct as it helps to prevent accidental pulling or tugging on the catheter, maintaining its position and reducing the risk of dislodgement.

Choice C rationale: Collecting a sterile specimen from the urinary drainage bag is incorrect. Specimens should be collected from the sampling port, not directly from the drainage bag, to ensure sterility.

Choice D rationale: Coiling the tubing on the bed above the collection bag is incorrect as it can cause urine to flow back into the bladder, increasing the risk of infection.