Which routine nursing assessment is contraindicated for a patient admitted with suspected placenta previa?

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Antenatal care for complicated pregnancies Questions

Question 1 of 5

Which routine nursing assessment is contraindicated for a patient admitted with suspected placenta previa?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Determining cervical dilation and effacement. This assessment is contraindicated for a patient with suspected placenta previa because it can lead to further disruption of the placenta and potentially cause severe bleeding. Monitoring FHR and vital signs (B) is important for assessing fetal well-being and maternal status. Observing vaginal bleeding or amniotic fluid leakage (C) is crucial in identifying complications. Determining the frequency, duration, and intensity of contractions (D) is essential for monitoring labor progression but is not appropriate for a patient with suspected placenta previa due to the risk of placental disruption.

Question 2 of 5

As the triage nurse in the emergency room, you are reviewing results for the high-risk obstetric patient who is in labor because of traumatic injury experienced as a result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA). You note that the Kleihauer–Betke test is positive. Based on this information, you anticipate that

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: immediate birth is required. The positive Kleihauer–Betke test indicates fetal-maternal hemorrhage, where fetal blood enters the maternal circulation. This can lead to fetal-maternal transfusion, causing fetal anemia. Immediate birth is necessary to assess and manage potential fetal distress, such as anemia and hypoxia, due to the trauma from the MVA. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: Transferring to critical care unit is not the immediate priority. The focus should be on addressing the fetal distress. C: RhoGAM is given to Rh-negative mothers to prevent Rh sensitization, but it is not directly related to the positive Kleihauer–Betke test result. D: Tetanus shot administration is important for tetanus prevention, but it is not the priority in this case where immediate birth is required due to fetal-maternal hemorrhage.

Question 3 of 5

Which assessment by the nurse would differentiate a placenta previa from an abruptio placentae?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because in placenta previa, pain is usually minimal or absent, while in abruptio placentae, there is severe abdominal pain. Saturated perineal pad (choice A) is common in both conditions. Cervical dilation (choice C) is not specific to differentiate between the two conditions. Fetal heart rate (choice D) may be normal in both conditions.

Question 4 of 5

What should the nurse recognize as evidence that the patient is recovering from preeclampsia?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Urine output >100 mL/hour. This signifies improved kidney function, a key indicator of recovery in preeclampsia. Increased urine output indicates better kidney perfusion and reduced risk of complications like renal failure. A: 1+ protein in urine suggests ongoing kidney damage. B: 2+ pitting edema in lower extremities indicates fluid retention, a common symptom of preeclampsia. D: Deep tendon reflexes +2 are not specific to preeclampsia recovery, although hyperreflexia can be seen in severe cases.

Question 5 of 5

A labor and birth nurse receives a call from the laboratory regarding a preeclamptic patient receiving an IV infusion of magnesium sulfate. The laboratory technician reports that the patient's magnesium level is 7.6 mg/dL. What is the nurse's priority action?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the patient's respiratory rate. A magnesium level of 7.6 mg/dL is above the therapeutic range (4-7 mg/dL) and can lead to magnesium toxicity. Respiratory depression is a common early sign of magnesium toxicity. Assessing the patient's respiratory rate is the priority to monitor for this potentially life-threatening complication. Stopping the infusion of magnesium (Choice A) is not the immediate priority as the patient's respiratory status needs to be assessed first. Assessing deep tendon reflexes (Choice C) is important for magnesium toxicity but not as urgent as assessing respiratory rate. Notifying the health care provider (Choice D) can be done after assessing the patient's respiratory rate.

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