A nurse is caring for a 28-year-old female client who is gravida 1 para 0 at 32 weeks of gestation in the prenatal unit.
Exhibit 1: History and PhysicalThe client is a 28-year-old female, gravida 1 para 0 at 32 weeks of gestation. She reports cramping and low back pain that started about 3 hours ago, with pain rated 2 on a scale of 0 to 10. She believes the contractions feel stronger than Braxton Hicks and expresses concern that it's too early for labor pains. The client mentions a small amount of urinary leakage earlier in the day, but no vaginal bleeding. She decided to come in for evaluation upon her doctor's advice.Exhibit 2: Nurses' NotesAt 0900, the client stated that she began experiencing cramping and low back pain approximately 3 hours ago, rating the pain as 2 out of 10. She described the contractions as stronger than Braxton Hicks but believed they were not labor pains. She also mentioned experiencing a small amount of urinary leakage earlier in the day, with no vaginal bleeding reported. The external fetal monitor indicated contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 30 seconds each, with moderate intensity upon palpation. Fetal heart rate was recorded at 140 beats per minute. A vaginal exam revealed a closed cervix that was 80% effaced, with clear mucus discharge observed on the exam glove.Exhibit 3: Vital SignsBlood Pressure: 120/80 mmHgHeart Rate: 80 bpmRespiratory Rate: 18 breaths/minTemperature: 98.6°F (37°C)Oxygen Saturation: 98%Exhibit 4: Physical Examination ResultsUpon physical examination, the client appeared anxious but was otherwise in stable condition. Her abdomen was soft and non-tender, with no signs of rigidity. Fetal movements were noted to be active. The client had no edema in her extremities, and her reflexes were normal. Auscultation of the lungs revealed clear breath sounds bilaterally. Cardiovascular examination showed a regular heart rhythm without any murmurs. The nurse is providing teaching about tocolytic medication. Which of the following statements should the nurse include? Select all that apply.
"I will inject this medication under your skin."
"You may experience a headache after receiving this medication."
"It is common for this medication to make you feel jittery."
"This medication should decrease your contractions."
Correct Answer : B,C,D,E,F
A. "I will inject this medication under your skin.": Tocolytic medications are typically administered orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly, not subcutaneously.
B. "You may experience a headache after receiving this medication."
Some tocolytic medications can cause headaches as a side effect.
C. "It is common for this medication to make you feel jittery."
Tocolytic medications, such as terbutaline, can cause nervousness or jitteriness.
D. "This medication should decrease your contractions."
The primary purpose of tocolytic medication is to decrease uterine contractions and delay preterm labor.
E. "I'll check your reflexes frequently while you are receiving this medication."
Some tocolytic medications, like magnesium sulfate, require monitoring of deep tendon reflexes to assess for potential toxicity.
F. "This medication can make your heart beat faster."
Tocolytic medications, such as terbutaline, can increase heart rate.
G. "This medication can increase your blood pressure.":
Some tocolytic medications, like magnesium sulfate, can actually lower blood pressure rather than increase it.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Gaining 2 pounds per week throughout the rest of pregnancy is excessive and not recommended. Normal weight gain is approximately 1 pound per week in the second and third trimesters.
Choice B rationale
Dieting during pregnancy can lead to inadequate nutrient intake for both the mother and the developing fetus. It is essential to focus on a balanced diet rather than trying to lose weight.
Choice C rationale
Meeting with a dietitian can help the client assess their nutritional needs and develop a healthy eating plan to support their pregnancy, ensuring both maternal and fetal health.
Choice D rationale
Eating an additional 700 calories per day is too high. Generally, an additional 300-500 calories per day is recommended during the second and third trimesters to support pregnancy.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Preparing for a cesarean birth is not an immediate necessity unless there are complications that warrant such intervention. Cesarean births are typically reserved for situations where
vaginal delivery poses a risk to the mother or the baby.
Choice B rationale
Administering IV antibiotic prophylaxis is critical in preventing potential infections during the labor process, especially given the early gestation period. This helps in safeguarding both
the mother and the fetus from infections like group B streptococcus.
Choice C rationale
Obtaining a vaginal culture is generally done to check for infections such as bacterial vaginosis or sexually transmitted infections. However, it is not an immediate priority when the
patient is already in active labor.
Choice D rationale
Administering metronidazole orally is used to treat bacterial infections but is not an immediate action required in this scenario. Metronidazole may not be the most suitable choice
during labor as it does not provide immediate infection prevention.