Exhibits

The nurse is reviewing nurses' notes to determine if there are any variations.

Click to highlight the findings that would indicate the client has developed a complication related to pregnancy.

The client is a 32-year-old multigravida at 28 weeks gestation, who presents to the healthcare provider's office for a routine prenatal visit. Obstetrical history reveals she has given birth three times; once at 35 weeks (twins), once at 38 weeks (singleton) and once at 41 weeks (singleton). All of these children are alive and well. She had one spontaneous abortion at 10 weeks' gestation. Her fourth child weighed 9 pounds (4.08 kg) at 41 weeks gestation.

Client is at 28 weeks. She has been receiving prenatal care since 8 weeks gestation. Her fasting 1-hour glucose screening level, which was done 1 week prior, is 164 mg/dL (9.1 mmol/L). Her 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test results reveal a fasting blood sugar of 168 (9.3 mmol/L) and a two-hour postprandial of 220 mg/dL (12.2 mmol/L).

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• The nurse assesses the client. The client reports he was able to sleep through the night: Being able to sleep through the night suggests that the client’s pain is adequately managed, indicating progress in terms of pain control post-surgery or trauma care.
• The left arm is warm to touch: The warmth of the left arm indicates that circulation has improved from initially cool to touch. This is a positive sign, as it suggests that there are no significant vascular complications following the fracture or trauma.
• The client's left shoulder and collarbone are symmetric: Symmetry of the shoulder and collarbone suggests that there is no new displacement or injury to the bones post-trauma or surgery. This is a good sign indicating that the fracture is properly stabilized.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

• The client notes continued numbness in his left arm, along with a tingling sensation, and is not able to move his fingers: The numbness, tingling, and inability to move his fingers may indicate nerve involvement, which could be a sign of complications such as nerve compression or injury due to the fracture.
• The client reports mild nausea and has no desire to eat breakfast: Mild nausea is expected after anesthesia or pain medications, but continued lack of appetite or worsening nausea may signal complications, such as a delayed reaction to anesthesia or a side effect from medication, which should be monitored.
• There is a 1.18 in (3 cm) by 1.97 in (5 cm) area of blood noted on the bandage: While some blood may be expected post-surgery or after trauma, a blood stain of this size should be evaluated for any indication of active bleeding or complications such as hematoma formation. It may not be expected if the bleeding had been controlled.

A. Ask if the client is experiencing any change in bowel habits: Changes in bowel habits are not directly related to the confusion or memory loss seen in pernicious anemia. The concern here is primarily with vitamin B12 deficiency.

B. Determine if the client is taking iron and folic acid supplements: While iron and folic acid are important, they don't directly address the memory loss and confusion related to B12 deficiency. The immediate focus should be on the effects of the B12 treatment.

C. Encourage the husband to bring the client to the clinic for a complete blood count: A CBC can help monitor anemia, but it doesn't address the memory issues. The nurse should first explain the symptoms related to B12 deficiency.

D. Explain that memory loss and confusion are common with vitamin B12 deficiency:
Memory loss and confusion are known symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. These symptoms may take time to improve with treatment, and educating the husband helps alleviate concerns.