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 B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Replacing the IV catheter with a smaller gauge is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this does not address the problem of the client picking at the dressing and tape. This is a distractor choice.
Choice B reason: Applying soft bilateral wrist restraints is an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can prevent the client from harming themselves or dislodging the dressing and IV line. This is a last resort measure that requires a physician's order and close monitoring. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
Choice C reason: Leaving the light on in the room at night is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can disturb the client's sleep and worsen their confusion. This is another distractor choice.
Choice D reason: Redressing the abdominal incision is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this does not prevent the client from picking at it again. This is another distractor choice.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: An adolescent with multiple contusions due to a fall that occurred 2 days ago is not a client that the charge nurse should assign to the RN, as this is a stable and low-acuity client who can be safely cared for by the PN. This is a distractor choice.
Choice B reason: A 75-year-old client with renal calculi who requires urine straining is not a client that the charge nurse should assign to the RN, as this is a routine and non-complex task that can be performed by the PN. This is another distractor choice.
Choice C reason: A 30-year-old depressed client who admits to suicide ideation is a client that the charge nurse should assign to the RN, as this is an unstable and high-risk client who requires close monitoring, assessment, and intervention by the RN. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
Choice D reason: A 64-year-old client who had a total hip replacement the previous day is not a client that the charge nurse should assign to the RN, as this is a postoperative and moderate-acuity client who can be managed by the PN under the supervision of the RN. This is another distractor choice.
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