ATI RN
Advanced Maternal Age Monitoring Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is assessing a pregnant patient who is at 14 weeks gestation and reports light vaginal bleeding. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Call the healthcare provider immediately to assess for miscarriage. The priority action in this scenario is to promptly notify the healthcare provider to assess for potential complications like miscarriage, which could be life-threatening to the patient or fetus. This step ensures timely intervention and appropriate management. Monitoring blood pressure and urine for protein (Choice A) is important but not the immediate priority. Encouraging rest and waiting for symptoms to resolve (Choice C) may delay necessary medical intervention. Performing a pelvic exam (Choice D) could potentially worsen the situation if miscarriage is occurring. Thus, calling the healthcare provider for assessment is the most appropriate and urgent action to take in this situation.
Question 2 of 5
A pregnant patient is at 34 weeks gestation and reports sudden sharp abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C - Call the healthcare provider immediately and prepare for possible preterm labor. At 34 weeks gestation, sudden sharp abdominal pain and difficulty breathing could indicate a serious complication such as placental abruption or pulmonary embolism. Calling the healthcare provider ensures prompt assessment and appropriate intervention to prevent harm to the mother and baby. Encouraging the patient to lie down may delay necessary intervention. Administering pain medication before determining the cause of pain could mask important symptoms. Assessing the fetal heart rate and monitoring for contractions are important but secondary actions to calling the healthcare provider in this urgent situation.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is educating a pregnant patient about the importance of folic acid during pregnancy. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates effective teaching?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: Choice B is correct because folic acid is indeed important for preventing neural tube defects in the baby's brain and spine. These defects can occur in the early weeks of pregnancy, emphasizing the need for sufficient folic acid intake throughout pregnancy. Incorrect Choices: A: Stopping folic acid after the first trimester is not recommended as neural tube development occurs early in pregnancy. C: While a healthy diet is important, it may not provide enough folic acid during pregnancy, hence supplements are often recommended. D: Family history of birth defects is not the sole indication for taking folic acid, as all pregnant women benefit from its preventive effects.
Question 4 of 5
A pregnant patient at 30 weeks gestation reports swelling in her legs and feet. Which intervention is most appropriate for the nurse to recommend?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Encourage the patient to elevate her legs and rest regularly. This intervention is appropriate because elevating the legs helps reduce swelling by promoting venous return and decreasing fluid accumulation in the lower extremities. Resting regularly also helps reduce the strain on the circulatory system. Choice B is incorrect because increasing sodium intake can exacerbate fluid retention and swelling. Choice C is incorrect because administering diuretics during pregnancy can pose risks to the fetus and should only be done under medical supervision. Choice D is incorrect because limiting fluid intake can lead to dehydration and is not recommended during pregnancy, especially when experiencing swelling.
Question 5 of 5
A pregnant patient at 36 weeks gestation reports sudden swelling of the face and hands. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Monitor the patient's blood pressure and check for signs of preeclampsia. At 36 weeks gestation, sudden swelling of the face and hands can indicate preeclampsia, a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy. Monitoring blood pressure and assessing for other signs of preeclampsia, such as headache or vision changes, is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention to prevent complications for both the mother and baby. Summary: B: Instructing the patient to rest and elevate her feet may provide some relief for swelling but does not address the underlying potential issue of preeclampsia. C: Recommending increased water intake may not be appropriate if the swelling is due to preeclampsia and can worsen the condition. D: Administering diuretics without proper assessment and diagnosis of preeclampsia can be harmful and is not the initial priority action.