During a regular clinic visit, a patient who is 28 weeks pregnant reports leg cramps.
The nurse teaches the patient measures to relieve the cramps. Which statement would indicate that the patient understands the teaching?
“I’ll elevate my legs to relieve my leg cramps.”.
“My husband will massage my legs when I get cramps.”.
“Stretching my legs and pointing my toes toward my knee will bring relief from the leg cramps.”
“I’ll put a cold compress on the calf of my leg when I get a cramp.”.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is choice C. Stretching your legs and pointing your toes toward your knee will bring relief from the leg cramps. This is because stretching can help relax the muscle and ease the spasm.
Choice A is wrong because elevating your legs may not help with leg cramps, and may actually worsen them by reducing blood flow to the muscles.
Choice B is wrong because massaging your legs may not be enough to relieve the cramps, and may also cause more pain if done too hard or too fast.
Choice D is wrong because putting a cold compress on the calf of your leg may not be effective for leg cramps, and may also cause more discomfort or inflammation.
Leg cramps are common during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimester. They are caused by various factors, such as pregnancy weight gain, changes in blood circulation, pressure on the nerves and blood vessels, nutrient deficiency, lack of exercise, or fluid buildup in your legs. To prevent or reduce leg cramps, you should drink plenty of water, stay active, eat a balanced diet rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium, avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time, wear comfortable shoes and socks, and sleep on your left side with a pillow under or between your legs.
If leg cramps persist or become severe, you should consult your healthcare provider for possible treatment options.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Checking for bladder distention is a secondary nursing assessment to ensure the fetal head can descend properly. However, it does not address the patient's report of leaking fluid. While important for comfort and progress, it lacks the diagnostic priority required to differentiate between urine and amniotic fluid during labor admission.
Choice B reason: This is the priority action to confirm Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes (SROM). Nitrazine paper detects the alkaline pH of amniotic fluid, which turns the paper blue. According to NIH clinical guidelines, distinguishing amniotic fluid from acidic urine is essential to manage infection risks and plan appropriate obstetric interventions for labor.
Choice C reason: Testing for glucose is a metabolic screening tool used to monitor for gestational diabetes or renal threshold changes. It provides no clinical value in determining the status of the amniotic membranes. Following Maslow’s Hierarchy, ensuring physiological safety via membrane assessment takes precedence over routine metabolic urine screenings.
Choice D reason: Obtaining a culture is a diagnostic step for identifying pathogens like Group B Streptococcus, but it is not an initial assessment. Cultures require significant time for results and do not confirm rupture. Rapid bedside tests are the standard initial action to determine if the "bag of water" is broken.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. The patient uses the sitz bath three times a day.This indicates that the patient understands the benefits of sitz baths for postpartum recovery, such as pain relief, increased blood flow, relaxation, cleansing, and itch relief.Sitz baths can be done with warm or cool water, depending on the preference of the patient.However, they should not be done for more than 20 minutes at a time, as this can cause the stitches in the perineal area to fall apart.
Therefore, choice C is wrong.Choice B is also wrong, as there is no evidence that alternating between warm and cool sitz baths has any additional benefits or effects.
Choice D is wrong, as tightening and relaxing the perineal muscles during a sitz bath is not recommended.This can cause more pain and irritation to the area, and interfere with the healing process.The normal ranges for sitz baths are two to four times a day for up to 20 minutes each.
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