ATI RN
Antenatal and postnatal complications Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient at 32 weeks' gestation is diagnosed with polyhydramnios. The patient asks the nurse if polyhydramnios can affect the baby. What is the nurse's response to the patient's question?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Yes, polyhydramnios increases the risk of a preterm delivery. Polyhydramnios, an excess of amniotic fluid, can lead to uterine overdistension, which may trigger premature labor. The increased pressure from the excess fluid can also cause premature rupture of membranes. This complication can potentially result in a preterm delivery, which carries risks for the baby's health and development. Choices A and B are incorrect because polyhydramnios is not a normal occurrence at the end of pregnancy nor a sign of lung maturity. Choice D is incorrect as umbilical cord compression is a potential complication of polyhydramnios but not the primary risk associated with it.
Question 2 of 5
What is a common sign or symptom of preeclampsia during pregnancy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: severe headache. A common sign of preeclampsia is a severe headache due to high blood pressure, a hallmark symptom of the condition. Preeclampsia can lead to dangerous complications for both the mother and the baby. Abdominal cramps (A) are not typically associated with preeclampsia. Increased appetite (C) is not a typical symptom and may even decrease due to other factors. Elevated heart rate (D) is not a specific sign of preeclampsia; high blood pressure is the key indicator.
Question 3 of 5
Which intrapartal assessment should be avoided when caring for a patient with HELLP syndrome?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A - Abdominal palpation Rationale: Abdominal palpation can lead to increased risk of placental abruption in patients with HELLP syndrome. This can cause severe hemorrhage and compromise fetal and maternal well-being. Therefore, it should be avoided. Summary of other choices: - B: Venous sample of blood: Necessary for assessing blood parameters in patients with HELLP syndrome. - C: Checking deep tendon reflexes: Important for evaluating neurological status in patients with HELLP syndrome. - D: Auscultation of the heart and lungs: Essential for monitoring cardiovascular and respiratory function in patients with HELLP syndrome.
Question 4 of 5
An abortion when the fetus dies but is retained in the uterus is called
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: missed. In a missed abortion, the fetus dies but is not expelled from the uterus. This can be diagnosed during an ultrasound when no fetal heartbeat is detected. The term "inevitable" (choice A) refers to an abortion that is in progress and cannot be stopped. "Incomplete" (choice C) refers to an abortion where some fetal or placental tissue remains in the uterus. "Threatened" (choice D) refers to vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy, with a viable pregnancy.
Question 5 of 5
A patient with preeclampsia is admitted complaining of pounding headache, visual changes, and epigastric pain. Nursing care is based on the knowledge that these signs indicate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the symptoms described (headache, visual changes, epigastric pain) are classic signs of worsening preeclampsia, indicating impending eclampsia with seizures. This requires urgent intervention to prevent serious complications. Option A is incorrect as gastrointestinal upset does not typically present with these specific signs. Option B is incorrect as magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures in preeclampsia, not cause the symptoms described. Option C is incorrect as anxiety would not cause the specific symptoms mentioned. In summary, the signs described point towards worsening disease and the likelihood of impending convulsions, necessitating immediate medical attention.