A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is in pre-term labor and has received indomethacin.

Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor for as a potential complication of the medication?

Assess fetal heart rate using a Doppler device.

This is because low back pain and pelvic pressure at 36 weeks of gestation may indicate preterm labor, which can affect the fetal well-being.Therefore, the nurse should assess the fetal heart rate as a priority to determine if the fetus is in distress or not.

Choice A is wrong because tocolytic medication is used to stop uterine contractions, not to relieve low back pain and pelvic pressure.Choice B is wrong because resting in a side-lying position may help with blood circulation and reduce supine hypotensive syndrome, but it does not address the possible cause of low back pain and pelvic pressure.Choice D is wrong because assessing vaginal discharge for any change may indicate infection, rupture of membranes, or cervical dilation, but it is not as urgent as assessing fetal heart rate.

Some interventions for preventing and treating low back pain and pelvic pressure during pregnancy include exercise, water-based exercise, acupuncture, osteomanipulative therapy, craniosacral therapy, and pelvic support belts.

However, these interventions should be discussed with the health care provider before starting them.

Thromboembolism.

Prolonged bed rest increases the risk of venous stasis and blood clot formation in the lower extremities, which can lead to pulmonary embolism if the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs.

This is a life-threatening complication that requires immediate treatment.

Choice B. Placental abruption is wrong because it is not caused by bed rest, but by trauma, hypertension, cocaine use, or other factors that can cause the placenta to separate from the uterine wall.

Choice C. Uterine atony is wrong because it is not caused by bed rest, but by overdistension of the uterus, prolonged labor, infection, or other factors that can impair the contraction of the uterine muscles after delivery.

Choice D. Infection is wrong because it is not caused by bed rest, but by poor hygiene, invasive procedures, or other factors that can introduce microorganisms into the reproductive tract.

Normal ranges for maternal heart rate are 60-100 beats per minute and blood pressure are 110-140/60-90 mm Hg.

Normal range for fetal heart rate is 110-160 beats per minute.