When is it most important for the nurse to assess a pregnant client's deep tendon reflexes (DTRs)?
When the client has ankle edema.
If the client has an elevated blood pressure.
During admission to labor and delivery.
Within the first trimester of pregnancy.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: When the client has ankle edema, it is important for the nurse to assess for other signs of fluid retention, such as weight gain, jugular venous distension, and crackles in the lungs. However, ankle edema alone is not a specific indicator of preeclampsia or eclampsia, which are conditions that can cause hyperreflexia or increased DTRs.
Choice B reason: This is the correct answer because if the client has an elevated blood pressure, it is important for the nurse to assess for other signs of preeclampsia or eclampsia, such as proteinuria, headache, blurred vision, epigastric pain, and hyperreflexia or increased DTRs. These conditions can cause seizures and other complications that can endanger the mother and fetus.
Choice C reason: During admission to labor and delivery, it is important for the nurse to assess various aspects of the client's health status, such as vital signs, fetal heart rate, contractions, cervical dilation, and pain level. However, assessing DTRs is not a routine part of labor and delivery assessment unless there are signs of preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Choice D reason: Within the first trimester of pregnancy, it is important for the nurse to assess for signs of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, bleeding, infection, and ectopic pregnancy. However, assessing DTRs is not a routine part of first trimester assessment unless there are signs of neurological disorders or spinal cord injury.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Notifying the healthcare provider is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should prioritize interventions that address the client's immediate needs, such as oxygenation and circulation.
Choice B reason: Preparing a continuous heparin infusion per protocol is an appropriate action for preventing further clot formation and reducing the risk of recurrent pulmonary embolism, but it is not the first action. The nurse should first stabilize the client's condition before administering anticoagulant therapy.
Choice C reason: This is the correct answer because providing supplemental oxygen is the first action that the nurse should take to improve the client's oxygenation and reduce hypoxia. Pulmonary embolism can cause impaired gas exchange and respiratory distress, which can lead to cardiac arrest and death if not treated promptly.
Choice D reason: Bringing the emergency crash cart to the bedside is a prudent action, but not the first one. The nurse should prepare for possible cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of cardiac arrest, but should first attempt to prevent it by providing oxygen and other supportive measures.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Centering attention on positive upbeat music is not a specific instruction for the nurse to include, as this is a general coping strategy that may or may not be helpful for this client. This is a distractor choice.
Choice B reason: Finding outlets for more social interaction is not a relevant instruction for the nurse to include, as this may not address the underlying causes of anxiety or stress for this client. This is another distractor choice.
Choice C reason: Practicing using muscle relaxation techniques is an appropriate instruction for the nurse to include, as this can help reduce physical tension and promote calmness and relaxation for this client. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
Choice D reason: Thinking about reasons the episodes occur is not a helpful instruction for the nurse to include, as this can increase rumination and anxiety for this client. This is another distractor choice.
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