Nursing Care During Pregnancy

A client has come to the clinic for her first prenatal visit. The nurse should include which statement about using drugs safely during pregnancy in client teaching?

"Consult with your health care provider before taking any medications."

A client asks the nurse why taking folic acid is so important before and during pregnancy. What should the nurse tell the client?

"Folic acid is important in preventing neural tube defects in newborns and preventing anemia in mothers."

A client who's planning a pregnancy asks the nurse about ways to promote a healthy pregnancy. What is the nurse's best response?

"Folic acid, 400 mcg, improves pregnancy outcomes by preventing certain complications."

A 40-year-old client who is quite anxious says that she would "rather die than be pregnant." Which response by the nurse is most helpful?

"I see you're upset. Take some deep breaths to relax a little."

A pregnant client asks how she can best prepare her 3-year-old son for the upcoming birth of a sibling. The nurse should make which suggestion?

"Involve your son in planning and preparing for a sibling."

Which statements made by a pregnant woman in the first trimester are consistent with this stage of pregnancy? Select all that apply.

"My husband told his friends we'll have to give up the convertible for a minivan." "Oh my, how did this happen? I don't need this now." "I wonder how it will feel to buy maternity clothes and be fat."

During her fourth clinic visit, a client who's 5 months pregnant tells the nurse she was exposed to rubella during the past week and asks whether she can be immunized now. How should the nurse respond?

"No because the live viral vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy."

A primigravid client at 28 weeks' gestation tells the nurse that she and her husband wish to drive to visit relatives who live several hours away. Which of the following recommendations by the nurse would be best?

"Taking the trip is okay if you stop every 1 to 2 hours and walk."

A client who's 4 weeks pregnant comes to the clinic for the first prenatal visit. When obtaining the health history, the nurse explores the client's use of drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. Which client outcome identifies a safe level of alcohol intake for this cli

"The client consumes no alcohol."

A client who is 37 weeks pregnant comes to the clinic for a prenatal checkup. Which question will the nurse ask to assess the client's preparation for parenting?

"What changes have you made at home to get ready for the baby?"

During her first prenatal visit, a client expresses concern about gaining weight. What is the nurse's first action?

Ask the client how she feels about gaining weight and provide instructions about expected weight gain and diet.

A primigravida at 36 weeks' gestation is having discomfort during a pelvic examination. What should the nurse tell the client to do to help her relax during the exam?

Breathe in and out with slow deep breaths.

A primigravid client at 16 weeks' gestation visits the clinic for a routine examination. The client tells the nurse that she knows someone whose baby was born with congenital toxoplasmosis. What should the nurse instruct the client to do to prevent transmission of the toxoplasmosis protozoan?

Cook all meats, such as beef and pork, thoroughly.

A client, approximately 11 weeks pregnant, and her husband are seen in the antepartal clinic. The client's husband tells the nurse that he has been experiencing nausea and vomiting and fatigue along with his wife. The nurse interprets these findings as suggesting that the client's husband is experiencing which complication?

Couvade syndrome

Which instruction should a nurse give to a client who's 26 weeks pregnant and complains of constipation?

Encourage her to increase her intake of roughage and to drink at least six glasses of water per day.

A client, now 37 weeks pregnant, calls the clinic because she is concerned about being short of breath and is unable to sleep unless she places three pillows under her head. After listening to the client's concerns, the nurse should take which action?

Explain that these are expected problems for the latter stages of pregnancy.

A nurse is planning care for a 16-year-old adolescent in the prenatal clinic. Adolescents are prone to which complication during pregnancy?

Iron-deficiency anemia

A client who is 18 weeks pregnant is losing weight. She tells a nurse that she's out of work and, after paying bills, has no money to buy healthy food. The nurse should offer the client information about:

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

A primigravid client visits the clinic for a routine examination at 35 weeks' gestation. The client's blood pressure is near the baseline of 120/74 mm Hg with no proteinuria or evidence of facial edema. The client asks the nurse, "What should I take if I get an occasional headache after looking at my computer at work all day?" Which over-the-counter medicine does the nurse consider to be safest for occasional use by a pregnant client with no known risks?

acetaminophen

A 30-year-old multiparous client has been prescribed oral contraceptives as a method of birth control. The nurse instructs the client that decreased effectiveness may occur if the client is prescribed which drug?

ampicillin

At a preconception visit a 24-year-old client is found to have malformation of the uterus. The nurse uses the accompanying figure to explain which type of uterine malformation?

bicornate uterus

A client is 8 weeks pregnant. Which teaching topic is most appropriate at this time?

common discomforts during pregnancy

When caring for the pregnant client with hyperemesis gravidarum, the nurse would further assess the client for which problem?

dehydration

Following a positive pregnancy test, a client begins discussing the changes that will occur in the next several months with the nurse. The nurse should include which information about a change the client can anticipate in the first trimester?

experiencing ambivalence about pregnancy

When evaluating a pregnant client's fundal height, the nurse should measure in which way?

from the symphysis pubis notch to the highest level of the fundus

A nurse is doing an assessment of a pregnant client who states that she smokes one pack of cigarettes each day. The nurse should:

inform the client of the risks to the fetus and ask if she'd like a referral to a smoking cessation support group.

A client who is 7 weeks pregnant comes to the clinic for her first prenatal visit. She reports smoking 20 to 25 cigarettes per day. When planning the client's care, the nurse anticipates informing her that if she doesn't stop smoking, her fetus may be at risk for:

low birth weight

An 18-year-old pregnant client tells the nurse that she is concerned that she may not be able to take care of herself during her pregnancy. She states that she is not sure what prenatal care is available, or if she should access it. The nurse should recognize that the client:

should be referred to community resources available for pregnant women

A client is 2 months pregnant. Which factor should the nurse anticipate as most likely to affect the client's psychosocial transition during pregnancy?

support from partner

A nurse obtains the antepartum history of a client who is 6 weeks pregnant. Which finding is a concern?

the client's consumption of six to eight cans of beer on weekends