A nurse midwife is examining a patient who is at 42 weeks of gestation and believes she is in labor.
Which of the following findings would confirm to the nurse that the patient is in labor?

Choice A rationale
Missing a menstrual cycle and reporting vaginal spotting could indicate early pregnancy or other non-emergency conditions. While this client should be evaluated, it is not the highest priority.
Choice B rationale
A client at 28 weeks of gestation reporting painless vaginal bleeding could be experiencing placenta previa or placental abruption, both of which are obstetric emergencies. This client should be prioritized for immediate evaluation.
Choice C rationale
A client at 38 weeks of gestation reporting symptoms of a cough and fever may have an upper respiratory infection. While this should be evaluated, it is not the highest priority unless the client is in distress.
Choice D rationale
Nausea and vomiting are common in early pregnancy. A client at 14 weeks of gestation reporting these symptoms would need evaluation, but it is not the highest priority.

Choice A rationale
The client’s symptoms of headache, dizziness, blurred vision, 3+ edema in lower extremities, deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) 3+ with positive clonus, and a fetal heart rate (FHR) of 140 with minimal variability are indicative of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the liver and kidneys. It usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications for both the mother and baby. To address this condition, the nurse should: Monitor the client’s blood pressure regularly. Administer prescribed medications to control blood pressure and prevent seizures. The nurse should monitor the following parameters to assess the client’s progress: Blood pressure readings: Regular monitoring can help detect any sudden increases, which could indicate worsening preeclampsia. Urine protein levels: Protein in the urine is a common sign of preeclampsia and should be monitored regularly.
Choice B rationale
Chronic hypertension is a possibility, but it does not fully explain the client’s symptoms. While chronic hypertension can cause headaches and dizziness, it does not typically cause 3+ edema in the lower extremities or positive clonus. Furthermore, chronic hypertension would have been present before the pregnancy or diagnosed before the client reached 20 weeks of gestation.
Choice C rationale
While the client’s symptoms of headache, dizziness, and blurred vision could suggest a neurologic issue, the presence of 3+ edema in the lower extremities and positive clonus are more indicative of preeclampsia. Neurologic status would be monitored as part of the care for a client with preeclampsia.
Choice D rationale
Liver function studies would be relevant if there were symptoms or signs suggesting liver involvement such as upper right abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, or jaundice. However, the client’s symptoms are more indicative of preeclampsia.