The nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is at 30 weeks gestation and has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Which of the following is the most important aspect of the patient's care plan?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitoring blood glucose levels and maintaining a balanced diet. This is the most important aspect of care for a pregnant patient with gestational diabetes because it helps control blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of complications for both the mother and the baby. Monitoring blood glucose levels ensures that the patient's blood sugar remains within the target range, while maintaining a balanced diet helps provide essential nutrients without causing spikes in blood sugar levels. A: Maintaining a healthy weight gain during pregnancy is important but not as crucial as monitoring blood glucose levels for a patient with gestational diabetes. C: Increasing fluid intake is important for overall health during pregnancy, but it is not the most critical aspect of care for a patient with gestational diabetes. D: Administering insulin may be necessary in some cases, but it is not the most important aspect of care compared to monitoring blood glucose levels and maintaining a balanced diet.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Encourage the patient to eat smaller, more frequent meals. This is the priority intervention because nausea during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester, is common and can be alleviated by eating smaller, more frequent meals to prevent fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Ginger tea (A) may help with nausea, but ensuring proper nutrition through small, frequent meals is the priority. Recommending larger meals (B) can worsen nausea due to increased stomach distention. Instructing the patient to avoid all foods and drinks (D) is not appropriate as it can lead to dehydration and nutrient deficiencies.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because elevating the legs and performing leg stretches can help improve circulation and relieve leg cramps during pregnancy. This intervention promotes blood flow and prevents muscle fatigue. Calcium supplements (choice A) may be helpful for preventing leg cramps in some cases but are not the first-line intervention. Instructing the patient to rest (choice C) may worsen leg cramps due to decreased circulation. Administering pain medication (choice D) should be avoided unless necessary, as it does not address the root cause of the leg cramps.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because monitoring the fetal heart rate and checking for signs of labor are essential in assessing the well-being of the fetus and determining if the patient is in active labor. This step helps the nurse identify any potential complications and take appropriate actions promptly. Choice B is incorrect because simply instructing the patient to rest may not address the underlying cause of pelvic pressure and cramping. Choice C is incorrect as assessing blood pressure and urine for protein is not the priority in this situation. Choice D is incorrect because performing a pelvic exam should be done after monitoring fetal well-being and ruling out active labor.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess the characteristics of the discharge, including color and odor. This is the priority action because it allows the nurse to gather important information to determine if the increased vaginal discharge is normal or if it may indicate an infection or other issue. By assessing the characteristics, such as color and odor, the nurse can make an informed decision on the next steps for the patient's care. Choice B is incorrect because simply monitoring for changes without assessing the characteristics of the discharge may delay necessary interventions. Choice C is incorrect because performing a pelvic exam should not be the first action without first assessing the characteristics of the discharge. Choice D is incorrect because calling the healthcare provider immediately may not be necessary if the discharge is normal.