Chapter 17 Pregnancy at Risk: Pregestational Problems

The nurse is working with a pregnant woman who has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). What does the nurse anticipate the infant might be born with?

1. A tendency to bleed excessively 2. An increased chance of developing infections 3. A hemoglobin less than optimal for good health Explanation: 1. This is true, as the infant might be born with thrombocytopenia. 2. This is true, as the infant might be born with neutropenia. 3. This is true, as the infant might be born with anemia.

The prenatal clinic nurse has received four phone calls. Which client should the nurse call back first?

1. Pregnant woman at 28 weeks with history of asthma who is reporting difficulty breathing and shortness of breath Explanation: 1. The goal of therapy is to prevent maternal exacerbations because even a mild exacerbation can cause severe hypoxia-related complications in the fetus.

A pregnant asthmatic client is being seen for her initial prenatal visit. The nurse knows that the fetal implications of maternal asthma include which of the following?

1. Prematurity 2. Low birth weight 3. Hypoxia with maternal exacerbation Explanation: 1. One implication of maternal asthma is that the infant is at risk for prematurity. 2. One implication of maternal asthma is that the infant is at risk for low birth weight. 3. One implication of maternal asthma is that the infant is at risk for hypoxia if the mother has an exacerbation of her asthma.

12) A client with diabetes is receiving preconception counseling. The nurse will emphasize that during the first trimester, the woman should be prepared for which of the following?

1. The need for less insulin than she normally uses

While doing a prenatal assessment on a woman who has hepatitis B and intends to become pregnant, the nurse explains the impact of the hepatitis B on pregnancy and birth. Which statement does the nurse include in the teaching?

4. "Hepatitis B does not usually affect the course of pregnancy." Explanation: 4. Hepatitis B does not usually affect the course of pregnancy.

The client with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes and an HbA1c of 5.0% is planning to become pregnant soon. What anticipatory guidance should the nurse provide this client? 1. Insulin needs decrease in the first trimester and usually begin to rise late in the first trimester as glucose use and glycogen storage by the woman and fetus increase. 2. The risk of ketoacidosis decreases during the length of the pregnancy. 3. Vascular disease that accompanies diabetes slows progression. 4. The baby is likely to have a congenital abnormality because of the diabetes.

Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. Insulin needs decrease in the first trimester and usually begin to rise late in the first trimester as glucose use and glycogen storage by the woman and fetus increase

The nurse is working with a woman who abuses stimulants. The nurse is aware that the fetus is at risk for which of the following? 1. Withdrawal symptoms 2. Cardiac anomalies 3. Sudden infant death syndrome 4. Being small for gestational age 5. Fetal alcohol syndrome

Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4 Explanation: 1. Infants born to mothers who abuse stimulants such as amphetamines can have withdrawal symptoms. 2. Infants born to mothers who abuse stimulants such as cocaine can be born with cardiac anomalies. 3. Infants born to mothers who abuse stimulants such as cocaine can have sudden infant death syndrome. 4. Infants born to mothers who abuse stimulants such as nicotine can be small for gestational age.

Which of the following symptoms, if progressive, are indicative of CHF, the heart's signal of its decreased ability to meet the demands of pregnancy? 1. Palpitations 2. Heart murmurs 3. Dyspnea 4. Frequent urination 5. Rales

Answer: 1, 2, 3, 5 Explanation: 1. Palpitations are indicative of CHF. 2. Heart murmurs are indicative of CHF. 3. Dyspnea is indicative of CHF. 5. Rales are indicative of CHF.

The nurse has written the nursing diagnosis Injury, Risk for for a diabetic pregnant client. Interventions for this diagnosis include which of the following? 1. Assessment of fetal heart tones 2. Perform oxytocin challenge test, if ordered 3. Refer the client to a diabetes support group 4. Assist with the biophysical profile assessment 5. Develop an appropriate teaching plan

Answer: 1, 2, 4 Explanation: 1. Reassuring fetal heart rate variability and accelerations are interpreted as adequate placental oxygenation. 2. The nurse would perform oxytocin challenge test (OCT)/contraction stress test (CST) and non-stress tests as determined by physician. 4. The nurse assists the physician in performing a biophysical profile assessment.

The nurse is evaluating the plan of care for a pregnant client with a heart disorder. The nurse concludes that the plan was successful when data indicate which of the following? 1. The client gave birth to a healthy baby. 2. The client did not develop congestive heart failure. 3. The client developed thromboembolism. 4. The client identified manifestations of potential complications. 5. The client can identify her condition and its impact on her pregnancy, labor and birth, and postpartum period.

Answer: 1, 2, 4, 5 Explanation: 1. Giving birth to a healthy baby is an expected outcome of the pregnancy. 2. An expected outcome is that the woman does not develop congestive heart failure, thromboembolism, or infection. 4. An expected outcome is that the woman is able to identify potential complications and notify the healthcare provider. 5. The woman must be able to discuss her condition and its possible impact on her pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period.

During the history, the client admits to being HIV-positive and says she knows that she is about 16 weeks pregnant. Which statements made by the client indicate an understanding of the plan of care both during the pregnancy and postpartally? 1. "During labor and delivery, I can expect the zidovudine (ZDV) to be given in my IV." 2. "After delivery, the dose of zidovudine (ZDV) will be doubled to prevent further infection." 3. "My baby will be started on zidovudine (ZDV) for six weeks following the birth." 4. "My baby's zidovudine (ZDV) will be given in a cream form." 5. "My baby will not need zidovudine (ZDV) if I take it during my pregnancy."

Answer: 1, 3 Explanation: 1. ART therapy generally it includes oral Zidovudine (ZDV) daily, IV ZDV during labor and until birth, and ZDV therapy for the infant for 6 weeks following birth. 3. ART therapy generally it includes oral Zidovudine (ZDV) daily, IV ZDV during labor and until birth, and ZDV therapy for the infant for 6 weeks following birth.

.A newly diagnosed insulin-dependent type 1 diabetic with good blood sugar control is at 20 weeks' gestation. She asks the nurse how her diabetes will affect her baby. What would the best explanation include? 1. "Your baby could be smaller than average at birth." 2. "Your baby will probably be larger than average at birth." 3. "As long as you control your blood sugar, your baby will not be affected at all." 4. "Your baby might have high blood sugar for several days."

Answer: 2 Explanation: 2. Characteristically, infants of mothers with diabetes are large for gestational age (LGA) as a result of high levels of fetal insulin production stimulated by the high levels of glucose crossing the placenta from the mother. Sustained fetal hyperinsulinism and hyperglycemia ultimately lead to excessive growth, called macrosomia, and deposition of fat.

The nurse is assessing a woman at 10 weeks' gestation who is addicted to alcohol. The woman asks the nurse, "What is the point of stopping drinking now if my baby probably has been hurt by it already?" What is the best response by the nurse? 1. "It won't help your baby, but you will feel better during your pregnancy if you stop now." 2. "If you stop now, you and your baby have less chance of serious complications." 3. "If you limit your drinking to once a week, your baby will be okay." 4. "You might as well stop it now, because once your baby is born, you'll have to give up alcohol if you plan on breastfeeding."

Answer: 2 Explanation: 2. Chronic abuse of alcohol can undermine maternal health by causing malnutrition, bone marrow suppression, increased incidence of infections, and liver disease. The effects of alcohol on the fetus may result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

The client at 9 weeks' gestation has been told that her HIV test was positive. The client is very upset, and tells the nurse, "I didn't know I had HIV! What will this do to my baby?" The nurse knows teaching has been effective when the client makes which statement? 1. "I cannot take the medications that control HIV during my pregnancy, because they will harm the baby." 2. "My baby can get HIV during the pregnancy and through my breast milk." 3. "The pregnancy will increase the progression of my disease and will reduce my CD4 counts." 4. "The HIV won't affect my baby, and I will have a low-risk pregnancy without additional testing."

Answer: 2 Explanation: 2. HIV transmission can occur during pregnancy and through breast milk; however, it is believed that the majority of all infections occur during labor and birth.

A client is at 12 weeks' gestation with her first baby. She has cardiac disease, class III. She states that she had been taking sodium warfarin (Coumadin), but her physician changed her to heparin. She asks the nurse why this was done. What should the nurse's response be? 1. "Heparin is used when coagulation problems are resolved." 2. "Heparin is safer because it does not cross the placenta." 3. "They are the same drug, but heparin is less expensive." 4. "Coumadin interferes with iron absorption in the intestines."

Answer: 2 Explanation: 2. Heparin is safest for the client to take because it does not cross the placental barrier.

A 26-year-old client is 28 weeks pregnant. She has developed gestational diabetes. She is following a program of regular exercise, which includes walking, bicycling, and swimming. What instructions should be included in a teaching plan for this client? 1. "Exercise either just before meals or wait until 2 hours after a meal." 2. "Carry hard candy (or other simple sugar) when exercising." 3. "If your blood sugar is 120 mg/dL, eat 20 g of carbohydrate." 4. "If your blood sugar is more than 120 mg/dL, drink a glass of whole milk."

Answer: 2 Explanation: 2. The nurse should advise her to carry a simple sugar such as hard candy because of the possibility of exercise-induced hypoglycemia.

A woman is 32 weeks pregnant. She is HIV-positive but asymptomatic. The nurse knows what would be important in managing her pregnancy and delivery? 1. An amniocentesis at 30 and 36 weeks 2. Weekly non-stress testing beginning at 32 weeks' gestation 3. Application of a fetal scalp electrode as soon as her membranes rupture in labor 4. Administration of intravenous antibiotics during labor and delivery

Answer: 2 Explanation: 2. Weekly non-stress testing (NST) is begun at 32 weeks' gestation and serial ultrasounds are done to detect IUGR.

Women with HIV should be evaluated and treated for other sexually transmitted infections and for what condition occurring more commonly in women with HIV? 1. Syphilis 2. Toxoplasmosis 3. Gpnorrhea 4. Herpes

Answer: 2 Explanation: 2. Women with HIV should be evaluated and treated for other sexually transmitted infections and for conditions occurring more commonly in women with HIV, such as tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and cervical dysplasia.

The clinic nurse is teaching a pregnant client about her iron supplement. Which information is included in the teaching? 1. Iron does not affect the gastrointestinal tract. 2. A stool softener might be needed. 3. Start a low dose, and increase it gradually. 4. Expect the stools to be black and bloody. 5. Iron absorption is poor if taken with meals.

Answer: 2, 3, 5 Explanation: 2. Constipation can be a problem when taking iron, so a stool softener might be needed. 3. To prevent anemia, experts recommend that all pregnant women start on 30 mg/day of iron supplements daily. If anemia is diagnosed, the dosage should be increased to 60 to 120 mg per day of iron. 5. Iron absorption is reduced by 40% to 50% if taken with meals.

The nurse is evaluating the goal "Client will remain free of opportunistic infections" for an HIV-positive pregnant client. The nurse determines the goal was met when the client has which of the following? 1. An absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte count below 200 2. No complaint of chills or fever during the pregnancy 3. Weight gain of 30 lbs during the pregnancy 4. ESR above 20 mm/hr 5. Normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate maintained during the pregnancy

Answer: 2, 3, 5 Explanation: 2. Not having chills, fever, or a sore throat throughout the pregnancy is an indication the client did not have an infection. 3. Weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds is normal for a pregnancy. This client met the goal for nutrition and remaining infection-free. 5. Having a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate during the pregnancy is an expected outcome.

A diabetic client goes into labor at 36 weeks' gestation. Provided that tests for fetal lung maturity are successful, the nurse will anticipate which of the following interventions? 1. Administration of tocolytic therapy 2. Beta-sympathomimetic administration 3. Allowance of labor to progress 4. Hourly blood glucose monitoring 5. Cesarean birth may be indicated if evidence of reassuring fetal status exists

Answer: 3, 4 Explanation: 3. There will be no attempt to stop the labor, as this can compromise the mother and fetus. 4. To reduce incidence of congenital anomalies and other problems in the newborn, the woman should be euglycemic (have normal blood glucose) throughout the pregnancy.

The client at 20 weeks' gestation has had an ultrasound that revealed a neural tube defect in her fetus. The client's hemoglobin level is 8.5. The nurse should include which statement when discussing these findings with the client? 1. "Your low iron intake has caused anemia, which leads to the neural tube defect." 2. "You should increase your vitamin C intake to improve your anemia." 3. "You are too picky about food. Your poor diet caused your baby's defect." 4. "You haven't had enough folic acid in your diet. You should take a supplement."

Answer: 4 Explanation: 4. An inadequate intake of folic acid has been associated with neural tube defects (NTDs) (e.g., spina bifida, anencephaly, meningomyelocele) in the fetus or newborn.

The client with thalassemia intermedia has a hemoglobin level of 9.0. The nurse is preparing an education session for the client. Which statement should the nurse include? 1. "You need to increase your intake of meat and other iron-rich foods." 2. "Your low hemoglobin could put you into preterm labor." 3. "Increasing your vitamin C intake will help your hemoglobin level." 4. "You should not take iron supplements."

Answer: 4 Explanation: 4. Folic acid supplements are indicated for women with thalassemia, but iron supplements are not given.

A 26-year-old client is 26 weeks pregnant. Her previous births include two large-for-gestational-age babies and one unexplained stillbirth. Which tests would the nurse anticipate as being most definitive in diagnosing gestational diabetes? 1. A 50g, 1-hour glucose screening test 2. A single fasting glucose level 3. A 100g, 1-hour glucose tolerance test 4. A 100g, 3-hour glucose tolerance test

Answer: 4 Explanation: 4. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed if two or more of the following values are met or exceeded after taking the 100 g, 3-hour OGTT: Fasting: 95 mg/dL; 1 hour: 180 mg/dL; 2 hours: 155 mg/dL; 3 hours: 140 mg/dL.

A pregnant woman is married to an intravenous drug user. She had a negative HIV screening test just after missing her first menstrual period. What would indicate that the client needs to be retested for HIV? 1. Hemoglobin of 11 g/dL and a rapid weight gain 2. Elevated blood pressure and ankle edema 3. Shortness of breath and frequent urination 4. Persistent candidiasis

Answer: 4 Explanation: 4. Signs and symptoms of infections include fever, weight loss, fatigue, persistent candidiasis, diarrhea, cough, and skin lesions (Kaposi's sarcoma and hairy leukoplakia in the mouth).

The client has just been diagnosed as diabetic. The nurse knows teaching was effective when the client makes which statement? 1. "Ketones in my urine mean that my body is using the glucose appropriately." 2. "I should be urinating frequently and in large amounts to get rid of the extra sugar." 3. "My pancreas is making enough insulin, but my body isn't using it correctly." 4. "I might be hungry frequently because the sugar isn't getting into the tissues the way it should."

Answer: 4 Explanation: 4. The client who understands the disease process is aware that if the body is not getting the glucose it needs, the message of hunger will be sent to the brain.

A 21-year-old at 12 weeks' gestation with her first baby has known cardiac disease, class III, as a result of childhood rheumatic fever. During a prenatal visit, the nurse reviews the signs of cardiac decompensation with her. The nurse will know that the client understands these signs and symptoms if she states that she would notify her doctor if she had which symptom? 1. "A pulse rate increase of 10 beats per minute" 2. "Breast tenderness" 3. "Mild ankle edema" 4. "A frequent cough"

Answer: 4 Explanation: 4. The heart's signal of its decreased ability to meet the demands of pregnancy includes frequent cough (with or without hemoptysis).

A 21-year-old woman is at 12 weeks' gestation with her first baby. She has cardiac disease, class III, as a result of having had childhood rheumatic fever. Which planned activity would indicate to the nurse that the client needs further teaching? 1. "I will be sure to take a rest period every afternoon." 2. "I would like to take childbirth education classes in my last trimester." 3. "I will have to cancel our trip to Disney World." 4. "I am going to start my classes in water aerobics next week."

Answer: 4 Explanation: 4. With the slightest exertion, the client's heart rate will rise, and she will become symptomatic. Therefore, she should not establish a new exercise program.

A 20-year-old woman is at 28 weeks' gestation. Her prenatal history reveals past drug abuse, and urine screening indicates that she has recently used heroin. The nurse should recognize that the woman is at increased risk for which condition? 1. Erythroblastosis fetalis 2. Diabetes mellitus 3. Abruptio placentae 4. Pregnancy-induced hypertension

Answer: 4 Explanation: 4. Women who use heroin are at risk for poor nutrition, anemia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension (or preeclampsia-eclampsia).