A nurse is teaching a client with eclampsia about the purpose of corticosteroid therapy.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?
“This medication will help lower my blood pressure.”
“This medication will help prevent seizures.”
“This medication will help my baby’s lungs develop faster.”
“This medication will help reduce inflammation in my body.”
The Correct Answer is C
“This medication will help my baby’s lungs develop faster.” Corticosteroid therapy is given to pregnant clients with eclampsia to accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn.
Some possible explanations for the other choices are:
• Choice A is wrong because corticosteroids do not lower blood pressure. Antihypertensive drugs such as hydralazine or labetalol are used to treat hypertension in eclampsia.
• Choice B is wrong because corticosteroids do not prevent seizures. Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for seizure prophylaxis and treatment in eclampsia.
• Choice D is wrong because corticosteroids do not reduce inflammation in the body. They may have anti-inflammatory effects in some conditions, but their main purpose in eclampsia is to enhance fetal lung development.
Normal ranges for blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy are:
• Blood pressure: less than 140/90 mm Hg
• Proteinuria: less than 300 mg/24 hours or less than 1+ on dipstick
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Fetal heart rate decelerations indicate a possible compromise of fetal oxygenation and should be reported to the provider immediately.Decelerations can be caused by various factors such as cord compression, uterine hyperstimulation, maternal hypotension, or placental abruption.
Choice A is wrong because a fetal heart rate of 140 beats per minute is within the normal range of 110 to 160 beats per minute.
Choice B is wrong because uterine contractions every 10 minutes are not abnormal in a client with severe pre-eclampsia who is receiving magnesium sulfate.Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures and lower blood pressure in pre-eclampsia, but it does not stop labor.
Choice D is wrong because uterine contractions lasting 60 seconds are not a sign of …
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
C. Fetal heart rate decelerations.
Fetal heart rate decelerations are temporary drops in the fetal heart rate that can indicate fetal distress or lack of oxygen.There are three types of decelerations: early, late and variable.Early decelerations are benign and caused by compression of the fetus’s head during a uterine contraction.Late decelerations are caused by uteroplacental insufficiency, which is a decrease in blood flow to the placenta.Variable decelerations are the most common type and vary in shape, duration and intensity.They are often caused by cord compression or other factors that affect fetal oxygenation.
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A. Fetal heart rate of 140 beats per minute.
Statement is wrong because this is a normal fetal heart rate.The normal range for fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute.
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B. Uterine contractions every 10 minutes.
Statement is wrong because this is a normal frequency for uterine contractions during early labor.
The normal range for uterine contractions is 5-10 minutes apart.
•
D. Uterine contractions lasting 60 seconds.
Statement is wrong because this is a normal duration for uterine contractions during active labor.
The normal range for uterine contractions is 45-90 seconds long.
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