When is it most important for the nurse to assess a pregnant client's deep tendon reflexes (DTRs)?

Choice C reason: pushing the undiluted Dextrose slowly through the currently infusing IV is the best way to administer the medication for a client with insulin shock. Insulin shock is a condition in which the blood glucose level drops too low due to excess insulin or insufficient food intake. This can cause symptoms such as confusion, sweating, tremors, or loss of consciousness. The nurse should administer 50% Dextrose IV as a bolus injection to raise the blood glucose level quickly and prevent brain damage.

Choice A reason: asking the pharmacist to add the Dextrose to a TPN solution is not appropriate for a client with insulin shock. TPN stands for total parenteral nutrition, which is a type of intravenous feeding that provides all the nutrients needed by the body. TPN solutions contain dextrose, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes in specific concentrations and ratios. Adding extra dextrose to a TPN solution can alter its composition and cause complications such as hyperglycemia or fluid overload.

Choice B reason: mixing the Dextrose in a 50 mL piggyback for a total volume of 100 mL is not effective for a client with insulin shock. A piggyback is a type of intravenous infusion that delivers medication through a secondary tubing attached to the primary tubing of another solution. Mixing the Dextrose in a piggyback can dilute its concentration and reduce its potency. It can also delay its delivery and onset of action.

Choice D reason: diluting the Dextrose in one liter of 0.9% Normal Saline solution is not safe for a client with insulin shock. Normal Saline is a type of intravenous fluid that contains sodium chloride in isotonic concentration. Diluting the Dextrose in one liter of Normal Saline can lower its concentration and increase its volume significantly. This can cause complications such as hypoglycemia or fluid overload.

Choice A reason: When the client has ankle edema is not the most important time for the nurse to assess DTRs, as this is a common finding in pregnancy and does not indicate a neurological or vascular problem. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B reason: Within the first trimester of pregnancy is not the most important time for the nurse to assess DTRs, as this is a routine assessment that can be done at any time during pregnancy and does not reflect any specific risk or complication. This is another distractor choice.

Choice C reason: If the client has an elevated blood pressure is the most important time for the nurse to assess DTRs, as this can indicate preeclampsia, a serious condition that can cause seizures, stroke, and organ damage. DTRs can help detect hyperreflexia, which is a sign of increased intracranial pressure and impending eclampsia. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice D reason: During admission to labor and delivery is not the most important time for the nurse to assess DTRs, as this is a standard assessment that can be done at any stage of labor and does not signify any urgent or emergent situation. This is another distractor choice.