Chapter 20 Nursing Management Pregnancy at Risk: Health Conditions & Vulnerable Populations

A 10-week pregnant woman with diabetes has a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level of 13%. At this time the nurse should be most concerned about which of the following possible fetal outcomes? A) Congenital anomalies B) Incompetent cervix C) Placenta previa D) Abruptio placentae

Ans: A An HbA1C level of 13% indicates poor glucose control. This, in conjunction with the woman being in the first trimester, increases the risk for congenital anomalies in the fetus. Elevated glucose levels are not associated with incompetent cervix, placenta previa, or abruptio placentae.

When assessing a pregnant woman with heart disease throughout the antepartal period, the nurse would be especially alert for signs and symptoms of cardiac decompensation at which time? A) 16 to 20 weeks' gestation B) 20 to 24 weeks' gestation C) 24 to 28 weeks' gestation D) 28 to 32 weeks' gestation

Ans: D A pregnant woman with heart disease is most vulnerable for cardiac decompensation from 28 to 32 weeks' gestation.

After teaching a group of students about the use of antiretroviral agents in pregnant women who are HIV-positive, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the group identifies which of the following as the underlying rationale? A) Reduction in viral loads in the blood B) Treatment of opportunistic infections C) Adjunct therapy to radiation and chemotherapy D) Can cure acute HIV/AIDS infections

Ans: A Drug therapy is the mainstay of treatment and is important in reducing the viral load as much as possible. Viral load directly correlates with the risk of perinatal transmission. Antiretroviral agents do not treat opportunistic infections and are not adjunctive therapy. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS.

A pregnant woman with gestational diabetes comes to the clinic for a fasting blood glucose level. When reviewing the results, the nurse determines that which result indicates good glucose control? A) 90 mg/dL B) 100 mg/dL C) 110 mg /dL D) 120 mg/dL

Ans: A For a pregnant woman with diabetes, the ADA (2012b) recommends maintaining a fasting blood glucose level below 95 mg/dL, with postprandial levels below 140 mg/dL and 2-hour postprandial levels below 120 mg/dL.

A pregnant woman tests positive for HBV. Which of the following would the nurse expect to administer? A) HBV immune globulin B) HBV vaccine C) Acyclovir D) Valacyclovir

Ans: A If a woman tests positive for HBV, expect to administer HBV immune globulin (HBIG, Hep-B-Gammagee). The newborn will also receive HBV vaccine (Recombivax-HB, Engerix-B) within 12 hours of birth. Acyclovir or valacyclovir would be used to treat herpes simplex virus infection.

A nurse is preparing a teaching program for a group of pregnant women about preventing infections during pregnancy. When describing measures for preventing cytomegalovirus infection, which of the following would the nurse most likely include? A) Frequent handwashing B) Immunization C) Prenatal screening D) Antibody titer screening

Ans: A Most women are asymptomatic and don't know they have been exposed to CMV. Prenatal screening for CMV infection is not routinely performed. Since there is no therapy that prevents or treats CMV infections, nurses are responsible for educating and supporting childbearing-age women at risk for CMV infection. Stressing the importance of good handwashing and use of sound hygiene practices can help to reduce transmission of the virus. There is no immunization for CMV. Antibody titer levels would be useful for identifying women at risk for rubella.

Because a pregnant client's diabetes has been poorly controlled throughout her pregnancy, the nurse would be alert for which of the following in the neonate at birth? A) Macrosomia B) Hyperglycemia C) Low birth weight D) Hypobilirubinemia

Ans: A Poorly controlled diabetes during pregnancy can result in macrosomia due to hyperinsulinemia stimulated by fetal hyperglycemia. Typically the neonate is hypoglycemic due to the ongoing hyperinsulinemia that occurs after the placenta is removed. Infants of diabetic women typically are large and are at risk for hyperbilirubinemia due to excessive red blood cell breakdown.

When teaching a class of pregnant women about the effects of substance abuse during pregnancy, which of the following would the nurse most likely include? A) Low-birth-weight infants B) Excessive weight gain C) Higher pain tolerance D) Longer gestational periods

Ans: A Substance abuse during pregnancy is associated with low-birth-weight infants, preterm labor, abortion, intrauterine growth restriction, abruptio placentae, neurobehavioral abnormalities, and long-term childhood developmental consequences. Excessive weight gain, higher pain tolerance, and longer gestational periods are not associated with substance abuse.

After teaching a pregnant woman with iron deficiency anemia about nutrition, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when the woman identifies which of the following as being good sources of iron in her diet? (Select all that apply.) A) Dried fruits B) Peanut butter C) Meats D) Milk E) White bread

Ans: A, B, C Feedback: Foods high in iron include meats, green leafy vegetables, legumes, dried fruits, whole grains, peanut butter, bean dip, whole-wheat fortified breads and cereals.

A nurse has been invited to speak at a local high school about adolescent pregnancy. When developing the presentation, the nurse would incorporate information related to which of the following? (Select all that apply.) A) Peer pressure to become sexually active B) Rise in teen birth rates over the years. C) Latinas as having the highest teen birth rate D) Loss of self-esteem as a major impact E) Majority of teen pregnancies in the 15-17-year-old age group

Ans: A, C, D Adolescent pregnancies account for 10% of all births and as such adolescent pregnancy is a major health problem. Peer pressure to become sexually active is a factor that contributes to adolescent pregnancy. Although the incidence of teenage pregnancy has steadily declined since the early 1990s, it continues to be higher in the United States than in any other industrialized country (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2012b). Teen birth rates in the United States have declined but remain high, especially among Black and Hispanic teens and in southern states. The Latina teen birth rate is the highest of any ethnic group in the United States. The most important impact lies in the psychosocial area as it contributes to a loss of self-esteem, a destruction of life projects, and the maintenance of the circle of poverty. Two-thirds of all teen pregnancies occur among 18-19-year olds.

When preparing a schedule of follow-up visits for a pregnant woman with chronic hypertension, which of the following would be most appropriate? A) Monthly visits until 32 weeks, then bi-monthly visits B) Bi-monthly visits until 28 weeks, then weekly visits C) Monthly visits until 20 weeks, then bi-monthly visits D) Bi-monthly visits until 36 weeks, then weekly visits

Ans: B For the woman with chronic hypertension, antepartum visits typically occur every 2 weeks until 28 weeks' gestation and then weekly to allow for frequent maternal and fetal surveillance.

A group of students are reviewing information about sexually transmitted infections and their effect on pregnancy. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which infection as being responsible for ophthalmia neonatorum? A) Syphilis B) Gonorrhea C) Chlamydia D) HPV

Ans: B Infection with gonorrhea during pregnancy can cause ophthalmia neonatorum in the newborn from birth through an infected birth canal. Infection with syphilis can cause congenital syphilis in the neonate. Infection with chlamydia can lead to conjunctivitis or pneumonia in the newborn. Exposure to HPV during birth is associated with laryngeal papillomas.

A group of nursing students are preparing a presentation for their class about measures to prevent toxoplasmosis. Which of the following would the students be least likely to include? Select all that apply. A) Washing raw fruits and vegetables before eating them B) Cooking all meat to an internal temperature of 140° F C) Wearing gardening gloves when working in the soil D) Avoiding contact with a cat's litter box.

Ans: B Meats should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160° F. Other measures to prevent toxoplasmosis include peeling or thoroughly washing all raw fruits and vegetables before eating them, wearing gardening gloves when in contact with outdoor soil, and avoiding the emptying or cleaning of a cat's litter box.

The nurse is assessing a newborn of a woman who is suspected of abusing alcohol. Which newborn finding would provide additional evidence to support this suspicion? A) Wide large eyes B) Thin upper lip C) Protruding jaw D) Elongated nose

Ans: B Newborn characteristics suggesting fetal alcohol spectrum disorder include thin upper lip, small head circumference, small eyes, receding jaw, and short nose. Other features include a low nasal bridge, short palpebral fissures, flat midface, epicanthal folds, and minor ear abnormalities.

A nurse is developing a program for pregnant women with diabetes about reducing complications. Which factor would the nurse identify as being most important in helping to reduce the maternal/fetal/neonatal complications associated with pregnancy and diabetes? A) Stability of the woman's emotional and psychological status B) Degree of glycemic control achieved during the pregnancy C) Evaluation of retinopathy by an ophthalmologist D) Blood urea nitrogen level (BUN) within normal limits

Ans: B Therapeutic management for the woman with diabetes focuses on tight glucose control, thereby minimizing the risks to the mother, fetus, and neonate. The woman's emotional and psychological status is highly variable and may or may not affect the pregnancy. Evaluating for long-term diabetic complications such as retinopathy or nephropathy, as evidenced by laboratory testing such as BUN levels, is an important aspect of preconception care to ensure that the mother enters the pregnancy in an optimal state.

A neonate born to a mother who was abusing heroin is exhibiting signs and symptoms of withdrawal. Which of the following would the nurse assess? (Select all that apply.) A) Low whimpering cry B) Hypertonicity C) Lethargy D) Excessive sneezing E) Overly vigorous sucking F) Tremors

Ans: B, D, F Signs and symptoms of withdrawal, or neonatal abstinence syndrome, include: irritability, hypertonicity, excessive and often high-pitched crying, vomiting, diarrhea, feeding disturbances, respiratory distress, disturbed sleeping, excessive sneezing and yawning, nasal stuffiness, diaphoresis, fever, poor sucking, tremors, and seizures.

A nurse is preparing a presentation for a group of young adult pregnant women about common infections and their effect on pregnancy. When describing the infections, which infection would the nurse include as the most common congenital and perinatal viral infection in the world? A) Rubella B) Hepatitis B C) Cytomegalovirus D) Parvovirus B19

Ans: C Although rubella, hepatitis B, and parvovirus B19 can affect pregnant women and their fetuses, cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital and perinatal viral infection in the world. CMV is the leading cause of congenital infection, with morbidity and mortality at birth and sequelae. Each year approximately 1-7% of pregnant women acquire a primary CMV infection. Of these, about 30-40% transmits infection to their fetuses.

The nurse is teaching a pregnant woman with type 1 diabetes about her diet during pregnancy. Which client statement indicates that the nurse's teaching was successful? A) "I'll basically follow the same diet that I was following before I became pregnant." B) "Because I need extra protein, I'll have to increase my intake of milk and meat." C) "Pregnancy affects insulin production, so I'll need to make adjustments in my diet." D) "I'll adjust my diet and insulin based on the results of my urine tests for glucose."

Ans: C In pregnancy, placental hormones cause insulin resistance at a level that tends to parallel growth of the fetoplacental unit. Nutritional management focuses on maintaining balanced glucose levels. Thus, the woman will probably need to make adjustments in her diet. Protein needs increase during pregnancy, but this is unrelated to diabetes. Blood glucose monitoring results typically guide therapy.

After teaching a pregnant woman with iron deficiency anemia about her prescribed iron supplement, which statement indicates successful teaching? A) "I should take my iron with milk." B) "I should avoid drinking orange juice." C) "I need to eat foods high in fiber." D) "I'll call the doctor if my stool is black and tarry."

Ans: C Iron supplements can lead to constipation, so the woman needs to increase her intake of fluids and high-fiber foods. Milk inhibits absorption and should be discouraged. Vitamin C-containing fluids such as orange juice are encouraged because they promote absorption. Ideally the woman should take the iron on an empty stomach to improve absorption, but many women cannot tolerate the gastrointestinal discomfort it causes. In such cases, the woman should take it with meals. Iron typically causes the stool to become black and tarry; there is no need for the woman to notify her doctor.

After teaching a group of nursing students about the impact of pregnancy on the older woman, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students state which of the following? A) "The majority of women who become pregnant over age 35 experience complications." B) "Women over the age of 35 who become pregnant require a specialized type of assessment." C) "Women over age 35 and are pregnant have an increased risk for spontaneous abortions." D) "Women over age 35 are more likely to have substance abuse problems."

Ans: C Numerous studies have shown that increasing maternal age is a risk factor for infertility and spontaneous abortions, gestational diabetes, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm labor and birth, multiple pregnancy, genetic disorders and chromosomal abnormalities, placenta previa, IUGR, low Apgar scores, and surgical births (Bayrampour & Heaman, 2010). However, even though increased age implies increased complications, most women today who become pregnant after age 35 have healthy pregnancies and healthy newborns. Nursing assessment of the pregnant woman over age 35 is the same as that for any pregnant woman. Women of this age have the same risk for substance abuse as any other age group.

A nurse is providing care to several pregnant women at the clinic. The nurse would screen for group B streptococcus infection in a client at: A) 16 weeks' gestation B) 28 week' gestation C) 32 weeks' gestation D) 36 weeks' gestation

Ans: D According to the CDC guidelines, all pregnant women should be screened for group B streptococcus infection at 35 to 37 weeks' gestation.

Assessment of a pregnant woman and her fetus reveals tachycardia and hypertension. There is also evidence suggesting vasoconstriction. The nurse would question the woman about use of which substance? A) Marijuana B) Alcohol C) Heroin D) Cocaine

Ans: D Cocaine use produces vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and hypertension in both the mother and fetus. The effects of marijuana are not yet fully understood. Alcohol ingestion would lead to cognitive and behavioral problems in the newborn. Heroin is a central nervous system depressant.

A client who is HIV-positive is in her second trimester and remains asymptomatic. She voices concern about her newborn's risk for the infection. Which of the following statements by the nurse would be most appropriate? A) "You'll probably have a cesarean birth to prevent exposing your newborn." B) "Antibodies cross the placenta and provide immunity to the newborn." C) "Wait until after the infant is born and then something can be done." D) "Antiretroviral medications are available to help reduce the risk of transmission."

Ans: D Drug therapy is the mainstay of treatment for pregnant women infected with HIV. The goal of therapy is to reduce the viral load as much as possible; this reduces the risk of transmission to the fetus. Decisions about the method of delivery should be based on the woman's viral load, duration of ruptured membranes, progress of labor, and other pertinent clinical factors. The newborn is at risk for HIV because of potential perinatal transmission. Waiting until after the infant is born may be too late.

A nurse is counseling a pregnant woman with rheumatoid arthritis about medications that can be used during pregnancy. Which drug would the nurse emphasize as being contraindicated at this time? A) Hydroxychloroquine B) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug C) Glucocorticoid D) Methotrexate

Ans: D Methotrexate is a FDA Category X drug and is contraindicated during pregnancy. For rheumatoid arthritis, medications are limited to hydroxychloroquine, glucocorticoids, and NSAIDS.

Which medication would the nurse question if ordered to control a pregnant woman's asthma? A) Budesonide B) Albuterol C) Salmeterol D) Oral prednisone

Ans: D Oral corticosteroids such as prednisone are not preferred in the treatment of asthma during pregnancy. However, they can be used to treat severe asthma attacks during pregnancy. Budesonide, albuterol, and salmeterol are recommended for use during pregnancy to control asthma.

A woman with diabetes is considering becoming pregnant. She asks the nurse whether she will be able to take oral hypoglycemics when she is pregnant. The nurse's response is based on the understanding that oral hypoglycemics: A) Can be used as long as they control serum glucose levels B) Can be taken until the degeneration of the placenta occurs C) Are usually suggested primarily for women who develop gestational diabetes D) Show promising results but more studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness

Ans: D Several studies have used glyburide (Diabeta) with promising results. Many health care providers are using glyburide and metformin as an alternative to insulin therapy because they do not cross the placenta and therefore do not cause fetal/neonatal hypoglycemia. Some oral hypoglycemic medications are considered safe and may be used if nutrition and exercise alone are not adequate. Maternal and newborn outcomes are similar to those seen in women who are treated with insulin. It is essential that oral hypoglycemic agents are further investigated to determine their safety with confidence and provide better treatment options for diabetes in pregnancy.

A pregnant woman asks the nurse, "I'm a big coffee drinker. Will the caffeine in my coffee hurt my baby?" Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate? A) "The caffeine in coffee has been linked to birth defects." B) "Caffeine has been shown to cause growth restriction in the fetus." C) "Caffeine is a stimulant and needs to be avoided completely." D) "If you keep your intake to less than 300 mg/day, you should be okay."

Ans: D The effect of caffeine intake during pregnancy on fetal growth and development is still unclear. However, a recent study showed that moderate caffeine consumption (less than 300 mg per day) does not appear to be a major contributing factor in miscarriage or preterm birth. The relationship of caffeine to growth restriction remains undetermined. A final conclusion cannot be made at this time as to whether there is a correlation between high caffeine intake and miscarriage due to lack of sufficient studies. Birth defects have not been linked to caffeine consumption,

A young adult woman comes to the clinic for a routine check-up. During the visit, the woman who works in a day care facility tells the nurse that she and her partner are considering having a baby. "We are concerned that I might be exposed to common childhood illnesses." The woman undergoes testing and finds out that she is not immune from chickenpox. Based on this information, which information would the nurse give to the client? A. "You will need to be vaccinated now and wait at least 1 month before getting pregnant." B. "It is very likely that you will need to quit your job if you do get pregnant." C. "Because chickenpox is so rare nowadays, there is nothing to worry about." D. "You will need to take a leave of absence during winter and spring months."

Answer: A Rationale: Preconception counseling is important for preventing chickenpox (varicella). A major component of counseling involves determining the woman's varicella immunity. Vaccination is the cornerstone of prevention. The vaccine is administered if needed. Varicella vaccine is a live attenuated viral vaccine. It should be administered to all adolescents and adults 13 years of age and older who do not have evidence of varicella immunity. Therefore, the woman should be vaccinated now before she becomes pregnant and then wait at least 1 month before getting pregnant. The varicella vaccine is contraindicated for pregnant women because the effects of the vaccine on the fetus are unknown. There is no need for the woman to quit her job once she is immunized nor does she need to take a leave of abscence during the winter and spring months when the incidence is highest. Chickenpox does occur and is highly contagious. Maternal varicella can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta, leading to congenital varicella syndrome if the mother is infected during the first half of pregnancy via an ascending aorta.

A nurse is obtaining a medication history from a pregnant client with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Which medication(s) would the nurse expect the woman to report to be currently using? Select all that apply. A. Ibuprofen B. Hydroxychloroquine C. Methotrexate D. Leflunomide E. Prednisone

Answer: A, B, E Rationale: Treatment of SLE in pregnancy is generally limited to NSAIDs like ibuprofen, prednisone, and an antimalarial agent, hydroxychloroquine. Methotrexate and leflunomide are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis but are contraindicated for use in pregnancy because of the potential for fetal toxicity

The nurse reviews the medical record of a woman who has come to the clinic for an evaluation. The client has a history of mitral valve prolapse and is listed as risk class II. During the visit, the woman states, "We want to have a baby, but I know I am at higher risk. But what is my risk, really?" Which response by the nurse would be appropriate? A. "If you do get pregnant, you will need to be seen by a cardiologist every other month for monitoring." B. "Your risk during pregnancy is small, but you should see your cardiologist first before getting pregnant." C. "Your heart disease would put too much strain on your heart if you were to get pregnant." D. "Your pregnancy would be uneventful, but you would need specialized care for labor and birth."

Answer: B Rationale: Typically, a woman with class I or II cardiac disease can go through a pregnancy without major complications. For class I disease, there is no detectable increased risk of maternal mortality and no increase or a mild increase in morbidity. For class II disease, there is a small increased risk of maternal mortality or moderate increase in morbidity and cardiac consultation should occur every trimester. It is best to have the woman see her cardiologist before becoming pregnant. A woman with class III disease needs frequent visits with the cardiac care team throughout pregnancy. There is a significantly increased risk of maternal mortality or severe morbidity and cardiologist consult should occur every other month with prenatal care and delivery occurring at an appropriate level hospital. A woman with class IV disease is typically advised to avoid pregnancy.

A woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus comes to the clinic for evaluation. The woman tells the nurse that she and her partner would like to have a baby but that they are afraid her lupus will be a problem. Which response would be most appropriate for the nurse to make? A. "It's probably not a good idea for you to get pregnant since you have lupus." B. "Be sure that your lupus is stable or in remission for 6 months before getting pregnant." C. "Your lupus will not have any effect on your pregnancy whatsoever." D. "If you get pregnant, we'll have to add quite a few medications to your normal treatment plan.

Answer: B Rationale: The time at which the nurse comes in contact with the woman in her childbearing life cycle will determine the focus of the assessment. If the woman is considering pregnancy, it is recommended that she postpone conception until the disease has been stable or in remission for 6 months. Active disease at time of conception and history of renal disease increase the likelihood of a poor pregnancy outcome (Cunningham et al., 2018). In particular, if pregnancy is planned during periods of inactive or stable disease, the result is often giving birth to healthy full-term babies without increased risks of pregnancy complications. Nonetheless, pregnancies with most autoimmune diseases are still classified as high risk because of the potential for major complications. Preconception counseling should include the medical and obstetric risks of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, fetal death, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and neonatal death and the need for more frequent visits for monitoring the condition. Treatment of SLE in pregnancy is generally limited to NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen), prednisone, and an antimalarial agent, hydroxychloroquine. During pregnancy in the woman with SLE, the goal is to keep drug therapy to a minimum

A pregnant woman with chronic hypertension is entering her second trimester. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the woman about measures to promote a healthy outcome. The nurse determines that the teaching was successful based on which client statement(s)? Select all that apply. A. "I will need to schedule follow-up appointments every 2 weeks until I reach 32 weeks' gestation." B. "I should try to lie down and rest on my left side for about an hour each day." C. "I will start doing daily counts of my baby's activity at about 24 weeks' gestation." D. "I will need to have an ultrasound at each visit beginning at 28 weeks' gestation." E. "I should take my blood pressure frequently at home and report any high readings."

Answer: B, C, E Rationale: The woman with chronic hypertension will be seen more frequently (every 2 weeks until 28 weeks' gestation and then weekly until birth) to monitor her blood pressure and to assess for any signs of preeclampsia. At approximately 24 weeks' gestation, the woman will be instructed to document fetal movement. At this same time, serial ultrasounds will be prescribed to monitor fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume. The woman should also have daily periods of rest (1 hour) in the left lateral recumbent position to maximize placental perfusion and use home blood pressure monitoring devices frequently (daily checks would be preferred), reporting any elevations

A pregnant client with iron-deficiency anemia is prescribed an iron supplement. After teaching the woman about using the supplement, the nurse determines that more teaching is needed based on which client statement? A. "Taking the iron supplement with food will help with the side effects." B. "I will need to avoid coffee and tea when I take this supplement." C. "I will take the iron with milk instead of orange or grapefruit juice." D. "If I happen to miss a dose, I will take it as soon as I remember."

Answer: C Rationale: The pregnant client should take the iron supplement with vitamin C-containing fluids such as orange juice, which will promote absorption, rather than milk, which can inhibit iron absorption. Taking iron on an empty stomach improves its absorption, but many women cannot tolerate the gastrointestinal discomfort it causes. In such cases, the woman is advised to take it with meals. The woman also needs instruction about adverse effects, which are predominantly gastrointestinal and include gastric discomfort, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, metallic taste, and constipation. Taking the iron supplement with meals and increasing intake of fiber and fluids helps overcome the most common side effects. If the woman misses a dose, she should take a dose as soon as she remembers.

A client in her first trimester comes to the clinic for an evaluation. Assessment reveals reports of fatigue, anorexia, and frequent upper respiratory infections. The client's skin is pale and the client is slightly tachycardic. The client also reports drinking about 6 cups of coffee on average each day. A diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia is suspected. The client is scheduled for laboratory testing and the results are as follows: • Hemoglobin 11.5 g/dL (115 g/L) • Hematocrit 35% (0.35) • Serum iron 32 µg/dL (5.73 µmol/L) • Serum ferritin 90 ng/dL (90 µg/L) Which laboratory finding would the nurse correlate with the suspected diagnosis? A. Hemoglobin B. Hematocrit C. Serum iron level D. Serum ferritin leve

Answer: D Rationale: Laboratory tests for iron-deficiency anemia usually reveal low hemoglobin (less than 11 g/dL or 110 g/L), low hematocrit (less than 35% or 0.35), low serum iron (less than 30 µg/dL or 5.37 µmol/L), microcytic and hypochromic cells, and low serum ferritin (less than 100 ng/dL or 100 µg/L). The client's hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum iron levels are borderline low normal, but the client's serum ferritin is below 100 ng/dL (100 µg/L), helping to support the diagnosis.