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.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice B is correct because assessing the DTRs of a pregnant client with an elevated blood pressure can help detect signs of preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that can cause seizures, organ damage, and fetal death. Preeclampsia can cause hyperreflexia, which is an exaggerated response of the DTRs.

Choice A is incorrect because ankle edema is not a reliable indicator of preeclampsia and does not require assessing the DTRs. Ankle edema is a common finding in normal pregnancy due to increased blood volume and fluid retention.

Choice C is incorrect because assessing the DTRs during admission to labor and delivery is not as important as assessing them if the client has an elevated blood pressure. Assessing the DTRs during admission to labor and delivery can help monitor the client's neurological status, but it is not a priority action.

Choice D is incorrect because assessing the DTRs within the first trimester of pregnancy is not as important as assessing them if the client has an elevated blood pressure. Assessing the DTRs within the first trimester of pregnancy can help establish a baseline, but it is not a priority action.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A: Determining the need for urinary catheterization is not a task that the nurse should assign to the PN, as this requires clinical judgment and critical thinking, which are beyond the scope of practice of the PN. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B: Titrating oxygen to prescribed parameters is a task that the nurse can assign to the PN, as this involves following orders and protocols, which are within the scope of practice of the PN. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice C: Receiving a postoperative client and conducting the assessment is not a task that the nurse should assign to the PN, as this requires initial assessment and data collection, which are the responsibility of the registered nurse. This is another distractor choice.

Choice D: Evaluating and updating plans of care for clients is not a task that the nurse should assign to the PN, as this requires nursing diagnosis and outcome identification, which are part of the nursing process that only the registered nurse can perform. This is another distractor choice.

A. Blood alcohol level of 0.09% (90 mmol/L) B. Six hours of sleep in the past three days. C. Serum lithium level of 1.6 mEq/L (1.6 mmol/L) D. Weight loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in past month.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A: Blood alcohol level of 0.09% (90 mmol/L) is not the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this is within the reference range and does not indicate alcohol intoxication or withdrawal, which can affect the client's mental status and mood stability. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B: Six hours of sleep in the past three days is not the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this is a common symptom of bipolar disorder during manic episodes and does not require immediate intervention by the health care provider. This is another distractor choice.

Choice C: Serum lithium level of 1.6 mEq/L (1.6 mmol/L) is the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this indicates lithium toxicity, which can cause neurological and renal impairment and potentially fatal complications such as seizures, coma, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice D: Weight loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in past month is not the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this may be related to decreased appetite or increased activity during manic episodes and does not pose an immediate threat to the client's health or safety. This is another distractor choice.

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

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse leading a cardiac team on a medical surgical unit is assigning client care to a practical nurse (PN) and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task should the nurse assign to the PN?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) leaves the unit without notifying the staff. In which order should the unit manager implement these interventions to address the UAP's behavior? (Place the actions in order from first on top to last on bottom.)

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