OB Chapter 12
Which conditions during pregnancy can result in preeclampsia in the patient? Select all that apply.1Genetic abnormalities2Dietary deficiencies3Abnormal trophoblast invasion4Cardiovascular changes5Maternal hypotension
1, 2, 3, 4Current theories consider that genetic abnormalities and dietary deficiencies can result in preeclampsia. Abnormal trophoblast invasion causes fetal hypoxia and results in maternal hypertension. Cardiovascular changes stimulate the inflammatory system and result in preeclampsia in the pregnant patient. Maternal hypertension, and not hypotension, after 20 weeks' gestation is known as preeclampsia.
Which hypertensive disorders can occur during pregnancy? Select all that apply.1Chronic hypertension2Preeclampsia-eclampsia3Hyperemesis gravidarum4Gestational hypertension5Gestational trophoblastic disease
1, 2, 4Chronic hypertension refers to hypertension that developed in the pregnant patient before 20 weeks' gestation. Preeclampsia refers to hypertension and proteinuria that develops after 20 weeks' gestation. Eclampsia is the onset of seizure activity in a pregnant patient with preeclampsia. Gestational hypertension is the onset of hypertension after 20 weeks' gestation. Gestational trophoblastic disease and hyperemesis gravidarum are not hypertensive disorders. Gestational trophoblastic disease refers to a disorder without a viable fetus that is caused by abnormal fertilization. Hyperemesis gravidarum is excessive vomiting during pregnancy that may result in weight loss and electrolyte imbalance.
The nurse is caring for a woman who is at 24 weeks of gestation with suspected severe preeclampsia. Which signs and symptoms should the nurse expect to observe? Select all that apply.1Decreased urinary output and irritability2Transient headache and +1 proteinuria3Ankle clonus and epigastric pain4Platelet count of less than 100,000/mm3 and visual problems5Seizure activity and hypotension
1, 3, 4Decreased urinary output and irritability are signs of severe eclampsia. Ankle clonus and epigastric pain are signs of severe eclampsia. Platelet count of less than 100,000/mm3 and visual problems are signs of severe preeclampsia. A transient headache and +1 proteinuria are signs of preeclampsia and should be monitored.Seizure activity and hyperreflexia are signs of eclampsia.Test-Taking Tip: Do not worry if you select the same numbered answer repeatedly, because there usually is no pattern to the answers.
A woman diagnosed with marginal placenta previa gave birth vaginally 15 minutes ago. At the present time, she is at the greatest risk for:1hemorrhage.2infection.3urinary retention.4thrombophlebitis.
1Hemorrhage is the most immediate risk because the lower uterine segment has limited ability to contract to reduce blood loss. Infection is a risk because of the location of the placental attachment site; however, it is not a priority concern at this time. Placenta previa poses no greater risk for urinary retention than with a normally implanted placenta. There is no greater risk for thrombophlebitis than with a normally implanted placenta.
A woman with severe preeclampsia has been receiving magnesium sulfate by intravenous infusion for 8 hours. The nurse assesses the woman and documents the following findings: temperature 37.1° C, pulse rate 96 beats/min, respiratory rate 24 breaths/min, blood pressure 155/112 mm Hg, 3+ deep tendon reflexes, and no ankle clonus. The nurse calls the physician, anticipating an order for:1hydralazine.2magnesium sulfate bolus.3diazepam.
1Hydralazine is an antihypertensive commonly used to treat hypertension in severe preeclampsia. An additional bolus of magnesium sulfate may be ordered for increasing signs of central nervous system irritability related to severe preeclampsia (e.g., clonus) or if eclampsia develops. Diazepam sometimes is used to stop or shorten eclamptic seizures. Calcium gluconate is used as the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity. The patient is not currently displaying any signs or symptoms of magnesium toxicity.
A patient with gestational hypertension is prescribed labetalol hydrochloride (Normodyne) therapy, which is continued after giving birth. What does the nurse instruct the patient about breastfeeding?1"You may breastfeed the infant if you desire."2"Breastfeeding may cause convulsions in the infant."3"Breastfeed only once a day and use infant formulas."4"There may be high levels of the drug in the breast milk."
1Labetalol hydrochloride (Normodyne) has a low concentration in breast milk, so the patient can breastfeed the infant. Breastfeeding is safe and will not cause convulsions or any side effects in the infant. Infant formulas are used only if the mother is unable to breastfeed the infant or if the mother does not desire to breastfeed.
Which condition is seen in a pregnant patient if uterine artery Doppler measurements in the second trimester of pregnancy are abnormal?1Preeclampsia2HELLP syndrome3Molar pregnancy4Gestational hypertension
1Preeclampsia is a condition in which patients develop hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks' gestation. It can be diagnosed if uterine artery Doppler measurements in the second trimester of pregnancy are abnormal. HELLP syndrome is characterized by hemolysis (H), elevated liver enzymes (EL), and low platelet count (LP) in a patient with preeclampsia. Molar pregnancy refers to the growth of the placental trophoblast due to abnormal fertilization. Gestational hypertension is a condition in which hypertension develops in a patient after 20 weeks' gestation.
Which condition in a pregnant patient with severe preeclampsia is an indication for administering magnesium sulfate?1Seizure activity2Renal dysfunction3Pulmonary edema4Low blood pressure (BP)
1Severe preeclampsia may cause seizure activity or eclampsia in the patient, which is treated with magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is not administered for renal dysfunction and can cause magnesium toxicity in the patient. Pulmonary enema can be prevented by restricting the patient's fluid intake to 125 mL/hr. Increasing magnesium toxicity can cause low BP in the patient.
A pregnant patient with severe preeclampsia who is being transported to a tertiary care center needs to be administered magnesium sulfate injection for seizure activity. What actions does the nurse take when administering the drug? Select all that apply.1A 10-g dose is administered in the buttock.2A local anesthetic is added to the solution.3The Z-track technique is used to inject the drug.4The injection site is massaged after the injection.5The subcutaneous route is used to inject the drug.
2, 3, 4The nurse adds a local anesthetic to the solution to reduce pain that is caused by the injection. The Z-track technique is used to inject the drug so that the drug is injected in the intramuscular (IM) tissue safely. The nurse gently massages the site after administering the injection to reduce pain. The nurse administers two separate injections of 5 g in each buttock. Magnesium sulfate injections are administered in the IM layer and not the subcutaneous layer.
What does the nurse include in the plan of care of a pregnant patient with mild preeclampsia? Select all that apply.1Ensure prolonged bed rest.2Provide diversionary activities.3Encourage the intake of more fluids.4Restrict sodium and zinc in the diet.5Refer to Internet-based support group
2, 3, 5Activity is restricted in patients with preeclampsia, so it is necessary to provide diversionary activities to such patients to prevent boredom. The nurse encourages the patient to increase fluid intake to enhance renal perfusion and bowel function. The nurse can suggest Internet-based support groups to reduce boredom and stress in the patient. Patients need to restrict activity, but complete bed rest is not advised because it may cause cardiovascular deconditioning, muscle atrophy, and psychological stress. The patient needs to include adequate zinc and sodium in the diet for proper fetal development.
A pregnant patient with chronic hypertension is at risk for placental abruption. Which symptoms of abruption does the nurse instruct the patient to be alert for? Select all that apply.1Weight loss2Abdominal pain3Vaginal bleeding4Shortness of breath5Uterine tenderness
2, 3, 5The nurse instructs the pregnant patient to be alert for abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and uterine tenderness as these indicates placental abruption. Weight loss indicates fluid and electrolyte loss and not placental abruption. Shortness of breath indicates inadequate oxygen, which is usually seen in a patient who is having cardiac arrest.
The nurse observes that a pregnant patient with gestational hypertension who is on magnesium sulfate therapy is prescribed nifedipine (Adalat). What action does the nurse take?1Evaluates the patient's renal function test2Obtains a prescription for a change of drug3Reduces the nifedipine (Adalat) dose by 50%4Administers both medications simultaneously
2Concurrent use of nifedipine (Adalat) and magnesium sulfate can result in skeletal muscle blockade in the patient. Therefore the nurse needs to report immediately to the primary health care provider (PHP) and obtain a prescription for a change of drug. The nurse assesses the patient's renal function to determine the risk for toxicity after administering any drug. However, it is not a priority in this case. Reducing the nifedipine (Adalat) dose is not likely to prevent the drug interaction in the patient. The nurse does not administer both drugs simultaneously because it may be harmful for the patient.
A woman with severe preeclampsia is being treated with an intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate. This treatment is considered successful if:1blood pressure is reduced to prepregnant baseline.2seizures do not occur.3deep tendon reflexes become hypotonic.4diuresis reduces fluid retention
2Magnesium sulfate is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant given primarily to prevent seizures . A temporary decrease in blood pressure can occur; however, this is not the purpose of administering this medication. Hypotonia is a sign of an excessive serum level of magnesium. It is critical that calcium gluconate be on hand to counteract the depressant effects of magnesium toxicity. Diuresis is not an expected outcome of magnesium sulfate administration.
A pregnant patient has a systolic blood pressure that exceeds 160 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take for this patient?1Administer magnesium sulfate intravenously.2Obtain a prescription for antihypertensive medications.3Restrict intravenous and oral fluids to 125 mL/hr.4Monitor fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions (UCs).
2Systolic blood pressure exceeding 160 mm Hg indicates severe hypertension in the patient. The nurse should alert the health care provider and obtain a prescription for antihypertensive medications, such as nifedipine (Adalat) and labetalol hydrochloride (Normodyne). Magnesium sulfate would be administered if the patient was experiencing eclamptic seizures. Oral and intravenous fluids are restricted when the patient is at risk for pulmonary edema. Monitoring FHR and UCs is a priority when the patient experiences a trauma so that any complications can be addressed immediately.
What instruction does the nurse provide to a pregnant patient with mild preeclampsia?1"You need to be hospitalized for fetal evaluation."2"Nonstress testing can be done once every month."3"Fetal movement counts need to be evaluated daily."4"Take complete bed rest during the entire pregnancy."
3Preeclampsia can affect the fetus and may cause fetal growth restrictions, decreased amniotic fluid volume, abnormal fetal oxygenation, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Therefore the fetal movements need to be evaluated daily. Patients with mild preeclampsia can be managed at home effectively and need not be hospitalized. Nonstress testing is performed once or twice per week to determine fetal well-being. Patients need to restrict activity, but complete bed rest is not advised because it may cause cardiovascular deconditioning, muscle atrophy, and psychological stress.
Which intervention will help prevent the risk of pulmonary edema in a pregnant patient with severe preeclampsia?1Assess fetal heart rate (FHR) abnormalities regularly.2Place the patient on bed rest in a darkened environment.3Restrict total intravenous (I.V.) and oral fluids to 125 mL/hr.4Ensure that magnesium sulfate is administered as prescribed.
3Pulmonary edema may be seen in patients with severe preeclampsia. Therefore the nurse needs to restrict total intravenous (I.V.) and oral fluids to 125 mL/hr. FHR monitoring helps assess any fetal complications. The patient is placed on bed rest in a darkened environment to prevent stress. Magnesium sulfate is administered to prevent eclamptic seizures
Which is a priority nursing action when a pregnant patient with severe gestational hypertension is admitted to the health care facility?1Prepare the patient for cesarean delivery.2Administer intravenous (I.V.) and oral fluids.3Provide diversionary activities during bed rest.4Administer the prescribed magnesium sulfate.
4The nurse administers the prescribed magnesium sulfate to the patient to prevent eclamptic seizures. I.V. oral fluids are indicated when there is severe dehydration in the patient. It is important to provide diversionary activities during bed rest, but it is secondary in this case. A patient who has experienced a multisystem trauma is prepared for cesarean delivery if there is no evidence of a maternal pulse, which increases the chance of maternal survival.
What does the nurse assess to detect the presence of a hypertensive disorder in a pregnant patient? Select all that apply.1Proteinuria2Epigastric pain3Placenta previa4Presence of edema5Blood pressure (BP)
Proteinuria indicates hypertension in a pregnant patient. Proteinuria is concentration ≥300 mg/24 hours in a 24-hour urine collection. The nurse needs to assess the patient for epigastric pain because it indicates severe preeclampsia. Hypertension is likely to cause edema or swollen ankles as a result of greater hydrostatic pressure in the lower parts of the body. Therefore the nurse needs to assess the patient for the presence of edema. Accurate measurement of BP will help detect the presence of any hypertensive disorder. A systolic BP greater than 140 mm Hg or a diastolic BP greater than 90 mm Hg will indicate hypertension. Placenta previa is a condition wherein the placenta is implanted in the lower uterine segment covering the cervix, which causes bleeding when the cervix dilates.
