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The nurse is continuing to assist with the care of the client.

Select words from the choices below to fill in each blank in the following sentence.

The complications that the client is at greatest risk for developing are

and

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"A","dropdown-group-2":"C"}

  • Seizures: The client’s symptoms of severe hypertension, persistent headache, hyperreflexia, proteinuria, and low platelet count strongly indicate severe preeclampsia, a condition that can rapidly progress to eclampsia, where seizures occur. This is a critical obstetric emergency requiring immediate intervention to prevent maternal and fetal morbidity.
  • Hypoglycemia: The client’s blood glucose level is 85 mg/dL, which is within the normal range. There are no signs such as diaphoresis, confusion, or weakness that would suggest hypoglycemia, and this condition is unrelated to the client's primary diagnosis of severe preeclampsia.
  • Cervical insufficiency: Cervical insufficiency typically causes painless cervical dilation and is associated with second-trimester pregnancy losses. The client is at 31 weeks with no reported cervical changes, contractions, or painless dilation, making this complication unlikely in the current clinical scenario.
  • Placental abruption: Severe hypertension increases the risk of placental abruption due to damage to the placental blood vessels. Signs of decreased fetal movement and the high-risk profile of preeclampsia support the concern that abruption could occur, leading to serious maternal and fetal compromise.
  • Heart failure: Although the client has some edema, there are no other clinical signs such as dyspnea, crackles, or orthopnea that would suggest heart failure. The edema seen here is consistent with preeclampsia rather than decompensated cardiac function.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. "Check the water temperature with your finger": Checking water temperature with a finger is unreliable because fingers may tolerate higher temperatures without discomfort. It is recommended to use the inside of the wrist or a thermometer to ensure the water is warm but not hot, typically around 100°F (37.8°C), to prevent burns.

B. "Hold your baby under running water when washing his hair": Holding a newborn under running water is unsafe because it can cause sudden chilling, difficulty breathing, or even slipping. Instead, caregivers should use a damp, warm washcloth or gently pour water over the baby's head while securely supporting it.

C. "Cleanse the eyes from the inner canthus outward": Cleaning from the inner to the outer canthus is correct technique because it prevents introducing contaminants into the tear duct. This motion also minimizes the spread of bacteria, reducing the risk of eye infections in the delicate eyes of a newborn.

D. "Set the water heater to 125.6 degrees Fahrenheit": A water heater set to 125.6°F presents a high risk of scald burns in infants. Safety guidelines recommend setting the water heater to no higher than 120°F (48.9°C) to reduce the risk of accidental burns during bathing or household water use.

Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"B"}}

Explanation

  • Deep tendon patellar reflex: The client's deep tendon reflexes improved from being hyperreflexive at 4+ to normal at 2+ without clonus on Day 2. This is a positive sign because hyperreflexia increases seizure risk in preeclampsia, and normalization indicates stabilization of neurological irritability.
  • Blood pressure: Although still elevated, the blood pressure decreased from 166/110 mm Hg to 152/90 mm Hg by Day 2. While not normal yet, the trend toward lower values represents improvement in controlling the severe hypertension associated with preeclampsia.
  • Heart rate: The client's heart rate increased slightly from 72/min to 90/min. While still within normal range, this change reflects a more responsive and stable cardiovascular status, and there are no signs of bradycardia or distress, supporting mild improvement.
  • Edema: The client continues to have +3 pitting edema bilaterally, with no reported reduction compared to the initial assessment. Persistent severe edema suggests that fluid balance issues from preeclampsia have not yet improved and still require active management.

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