A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client with gestational hypertension who has been diagnosed with HELLP syndrome.
Which of the following findings would the nurse expect to see?
Hemoglobin 12 g/dL, platelets 150,000/mm3, AST 20 U/L, ALT 18 U/L
Hemoglobin 10 g/dL, platelets 100,000/mm3, AST 40 U/L, ALT 35 U/L
Hemoglobin 8 g/dL, platelets 50,000/mm3, AST 80 U/L, ALT 70 U/L
Hemoglobin 6 g/dL, platelets 25,000/mm3, AST 120 U/L, ALT 100 U/L
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D. Hemoglobin 6 g/dL, platelets 25,000/mm3, AST 120 U/L, ALT 100 U/L.
This is because HELLP syndrome is a pregnancy complication that causes hemolysis (breaking down of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes (indicating liver injury), and low platelet count (impairing blood clotting).
Choice A is wrong because hemoglobin 12 g/dL, platelets 150,000/mm3, AST 20 U/L, ALT 18 U/L are all within normal ranges and do not indicate HELLP syndrome.
Choice B is wrong because hemoglobin 10 g/dL, platelets 100,000/mm3, AST 40 U/L, ALT 35 U/L are mildly abnormal and may suggest mild preeclampsia but not HELLP syndrome.
Choice C is wrong because hemoglobin 8 g/dL, platelets 50,000/mm3, AST 80 U/L, ALT 70 U/L are moderately abnormal and may suggest moderate preeclampsia or incomplete HELLP syndrome but not full HELLP syndrome.
Normal ranges for these laboratory tests are:
• Hemoglobin: 11.5 to 16.5 g/dL for women.
• Platelets: 150,000 to 450,000/mm3 for adults.
• AST: 10 to 40 U/L for adults.
• ALT: 7 to 56 U/L for adults.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C) Elevated serum bilirubin levels.This is because bilirubin is a product of hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells), which is one of the components of HELLP syndrome.Elevated serum bilirubin levels indicate that there is excessive hemolysis occurring in the body, which can lead to jaundice and liver damage.
Choice A) Elevated serum creatinine levels is wrong because creatinine is a marker of kidney function, not liver function or hemolysis.While kidney failure can occur as a complication of HELLP syndrome, it is not a diagnostic criterion.
Choice B) Elevated serum uric acid levels is wrong because uric acid is also a marker of kidney function, not liver function or hemolysis.Uric acid levels can be elevated in preeclampsia, but not specifically in HELLP syndrome.
Choice D) Elevated serum glucose levels is wrong because glucose is not related to liver function or hemolysis.Glucose levels can be elevated in gestational diabetes, but not in HELLP syndrome.
Normal ranges for these tests are:
• Serum bilirubin: 0.3 to 1.2 mg/dL
• Serum creatinine: 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL
• Serum uric acid: 2.4 to 6.0 mg/dL
• Serum glucose: 70 to 100 mg/dL
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A, B, C and E.These are all risk factors for gestational hypertension according to various sources.
Some possible explanations for each choice are:
• Choice A: Maternal age over 35 years.Older women are more likely to have chronic hypertension, diabetes, or other conditions that increase the risk of gestational hypertension.
• Choice B: First pregnancy.Women who are pregnant for the first time are more likely to develop gestational hypertension than women who have had previous pregnancies.
• Choice C: Multiple gestation.Women who are carrying twins, triplets, or more are more likely to have gestational hypertension because of the increased placental mass and blood volume.
• Choice D: History of diabetes mellitus.This is not a risk factor for gestational hypertension, but it is a risk factor for preeclampsia, which is a more severe form of hypertension that involves proteinuria and organ damage.
Preeclampsia can develop from gestational hypertension or occur independently.
• Choice E: African American race.African American women are more likely to have gestational hypertension than women of other races or ethnicities.
This may be due to genetic, environmental, or social factors that affect blood pressure regulation.
Normal ranges for blood pressure during pregnancy are less than 140/90 mmHg.Gestational hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure is greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg after 20 weeks of pregnancy and there is no proteinuria or other signs of preeclampsia.Gestational hypertension usually goes away after delivery, but it can increase the risk of complications for both the mother and the baby.
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