During a clinic visit, a client reports to the nurse that she is having burning and numbness in her perineal area.
Further investigation reveals the client has herpes simplex virus (HSV) type II. Which information concerning herpes infection during pregnancy should the nurse include in the teaching plan for this client?

Answer and explanation..

The correct answer is choice C. Jitteriness.Jitteriness is a sign of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) which is common in infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) because they have high levels of insulin in their blood that lower their glucose levels after birth.Hypoglycemia can also cause other symptoms such as seizures, lethargy, poor feeding, sweating, trembling, and pale complexion.

Choice A is wrong because abdominal distention is not a typical symptom of IDM.

It can be caused by other conditions such as intestinal obstruction or infection.

Choice B is wrong because high-pitched cry is not a specific symptom of IDM.

It can be caused by many factors such as pain, hunger, or neurological problems.

Choice D is wrong because excessive drooling is not a common symptom of IDM.

It can be a sign of oral problems such as teething or infection.

Normal ranges for blood glucose in newborns are 40 to 150 mg/dL (2.2 to 8.3 mmol/L).

IDM should be monitored closely for hypoglycemia and treated promptly with glucose if needed.

A rubella titer of 1:33 indicates a low level of immunity to rubella, which can be dangerous for a pregnant woman and her fetus.

Rubella is a viral infection that can cause birth defects or miscarriage if contracted during pregnancy.A rubella titer of 1:10 or higher is considered protective.

Choice B is wrong because a non-reactive serologic test for syphilis (STS) means that the patient does not have syphilis, which is a bacterial infection that can also harm the fetus if untreated.

Choice C is wrong because blood type A-negative does not require further assessment unless the patient has antibodies to the Rh factor, which can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn if the fetus is Rh-positive.

This can be prevented by giving the patient Rh immunoglobulin injections during pregnancy and after delivery.

Choice D is wrong because hemoglobin 12.2 gm/dL is within the normal range for a pregnant woman, which is 11 to 14 gm/dL.

Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

A low hemoglobin level can indicate anemia, which can affect the oxygen delivery to the fetus and increase the risk of preterm labor or low birth weight.