ATI RN
Atrium Health Womens Care Maternal Fetal Monitoring Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is at 25 weeks gestation and is concerned about gestational diabetes. Which of the following symptoms should the nurse educate the patient to watch for?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased thirst and frequent urination. These symptoms are indicative of gestational diabetes due to elevated blood sugar levels. Increased thirst is a result of the body trying to dilute the excess glucose through increased fluid intake, leading to frequent urination. This occurs because the kidneys work to eliminate the excess glucose from the blood by excreting it in the urine. Therefore, educating the patient to watch for these symptoms is crucial for early detection and management of gestational diabetes. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly correlate with the symptoms of gestational diabetes. Severe leg cramps and dizziness (Choice B) may be related to other factors such as dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. Constant fatigue and swollen feet (Choice C) could be common symptoms during pregnancy but are not specific to gestational diabetes. Shortness of breath and dizziness upon standing (Choice D) are more likely to be related to issues such as anemia or changes
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is at 28 weeks gestation and has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because administering antibiotics is crucial in treating a urinary tract infection (UTI) during pregnancy to prevent complications such as preterm labor or kidney infection. Antibiotics are necessary to eradicate the infection and ensure the health of both the mother and the baby. Encouraging the patient to drink cranberry juice (B) may help prevent UTIs but is not sufficient treatment for an existing infection. Teaching the patient to practice good hand hygiene (C) is important for general infection prevention but does not directly address the UTI. Performing a bladder scan (D) to check for residual urine is not a priority in this case as the focus should be on treating the infection first.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is at 22 weeks gestation and reports experiencing vaginal bleeding. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assess the bleeding and notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is the priority action because vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can indicate serious complications such as placental abruption or preterm labor. By assessing the bleeding, the nurse can determine the severity and nature of the bleeding to provide crucial information to the healthcare provider for prompt intervention. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately ensures timely assessment and appropriate management to protect the health and well-being of both the mother and fetus. Encouraging rest (choice A) may be appropriate, but assessing the bleeding and notifying the healthcare provider take precedence. Monitoring fetal heart rate (choice B) is important but secondary to assessing the bleeding. Instructing the patient to use a sanitary pad (choice D) is not sufficient to address the potential underlying causes of vaginal bleeding.
Question 4 of 5
A pregnant patient is at 32 weeks gestation and reports that she feels short of breath when lying flat. What should the nurse's priority action be?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encourage the patient to sit up and rest in a more upright position. This is the priority action because it helps relieve pressure on the diaphragm and allows for better lung expansion, improving oxygenation for the pregnant patient experiencing shortness of breath. Sitting upright also reduces the risk of supine hypotensive syndrome by improving blood flow to the placenta. Assessing respiratory rate and oxygen saturation (Choice A) may be important but should come after the patient is in a more comfortable position. Deep breathing exercises (Choice C) may not address the immediate relief needed for the patient. Instructing the patient to take shallow breaths (Choice D) may worsen the situation by limiting oxygen intake and exacerbating respiratory distress.
Question 5 of 5
A pregnant patient at 26 weeks gestation reports pain in the lower abdomen and back. What should the nurse do first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Encourage the patient to rest and monitor for changes in symptoms. At 26 weeks gestation, lower abdominal and back pain could indicate preterm labor. The first step is to have the patient rest to reduce uterine activity. Monitoring for changes in symptoms is crucial to assess if the pain is worsening and if there are any signs of preterm labor. Performing a pelvic exam (B) could potentially stimulate contractions and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Administering pain medication (C) does not address the underlying cause and could mask symptoms. Assessing blood pressure for signs of preeclampsia (D) is important but not the first priority in this scenario.