A woman hospitalized with severe preeclampsia is being treated with hydralazine to control blood pressure. Which finding would lead the nurse to suspect that the client is having an adverse effect associated with this drug?
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Sweating
Tachycardia
Blurred vision
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because gastrointestinal bleeding is not an adverse effect of hydralazine, which is a vasodilator that lowers blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles of the blood vessels. Gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by other conditions such as ulcers, gastritis, or hemorrhoids.
Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because sweating is not an adverse effect of hydralazine, but a normal response to vasodilation and heat loss. Sweating can also be caused by other factors such as fever, anxiety, or exercise.
Choice C Reason: This is correct because tachycardia is an adverse effect of hydralazine, which can occur as a reflex response to vasodilation and hypotension. Tachycardia can increase the cardiac workload and oxygen demand, which can be harmful for pregnant women with preeclampsia who already have impaired placental perfusion and fetal hypoxia.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because blurred vision is not an adverse effect of hydralazine, but a symptom of severe preeclampsia that indicates cerebral edema or ischemia. Blurred vision can also be caused by other conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, or cataracts.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is correct because cloudy malodorous fluid indicates that the amniotic fluid is contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause infection in the woman or the fetus. Normally, amniotic fluid is clear and odorless.
Choice B Reason: This is correct because abdominal tenderness suggests that the woman has inflammation or irritation of the uterus or other pelvic organs due to infection. Abdominal tenderness can also be accompanied by cramping, pain, or fever.
Choice C Reason: This is correct because fetal bradycardia, which is a slow fetal heart rate below 110 beats per minute, indicates that the fetus is experiencing distress or hypoxia due to infection. Fetal bradycardia can be detected by electronic fetal monitoring or Doppler device.
Choice D Reason: This is correct because elevated maternal pulse rate, which is a heart rate above 100 beats per minute, indicates that the woman has an increased metabolic demand or systemic inflammation due to infection. Elevated maternal pulse rate can also be caused by dehydration, anxiety, or pain.
Choice E Reason: This is incorrect because decreased C-reactive protein levels do not indicate infection. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein that is produced by the liver in response to inflammation or infection. Increased CRP levels can be a sign of infection, but decreased CRP levels can be normal or indicate other conditions such as liver disease or malnutrition.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because marijuana is a psychoactive substance that affects the central nervous system and can cause euphoria, relaxation, altered perception, and impaired memory. It does not cause tachycardia, hypertension, or vasoconstriction in pregnant women or their fetuses.
Choice B Reason: This is correct because cocaine is a stimulant substance that affects the cardiovascular system and can cause tachycardia, hypertension, vasoconstriction, arrhythmias, and ischemia in pregnant women or their fetuses. It can also increase the risk of placental abruption, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, and fetal death.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because nicotine is a stimulant substance that affects the respiratory system and can cause bronchodilation, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure in pregnant women or their fetuses. However, it does not cause vasoconstriction, but rather vasodilation.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because caffeine is a stimulant substance that affects the central nervous system and can cause alertness, insomnia, anxiety, and increased urine output in pregnant women or their fetuses. It does not cause tachycardia, hypertension, or vasoconstriction in moderate doses.
Choice E Reason: This is incorrect because heroin is an opioid substance that affects the central nervous system and can cause euphoria, sedation, analgesia, and respiratory depression in pregnant women or their fetuses. It does not cause tachycardia, hypertension, or vasoconstriction.
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