Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is admitting a client who is at 35 weeks of gestation and is experiencing mild vaginal bleeding due to placenta previa. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
A. Initiate continuous monitoring of the FHR.
Initiate continuous monitoring of the FHR. For a client with placenta previa, continuous fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring is essential to assess the baby's well-being due to the risk of fetal distress from reduced oxygen supply. Continuous FHR monitoring is a standard care practice for clients with placenta previa to promptly detect any signs of fetal distress and intervene as necessary.
B. Administer a dose of betamethasone.
Betamethasone is typically administered to enhance fetal lung maturity before 34 weeks of gestation, not for placenta previa. Its use at 35 weeks is less common unless there's a risk of preterm birth within 7 days and the patient hasn't received a previous course.
C. Check the cervix for dilation every 8 hours.
Checking the cervix can induce bleeding and is contraindicated in placenta previa because it may disturb the placental site and exacerbate bleeding.
D. Request that the provider prescribe misoprostol PRN.
Misoprostol is used for labor induction or to treat postpartum hemorrhage. It is not indicated for placenta previa management and can cause uterine contractions leading to increased bleeding.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is A. Initiate continuous monitoring of the FHR. For a client with placenta previa, continuous fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring is essential to assess the baby's well-being due to the risk of fetal distress from reduced oxygen supply
Choice A reason:
Continuous FHR monitoring is a standard care practice for clients with placenta previa to promptly detect any signs of fetal distress and intervene as necessary.
Choice B reason:
Betamethasone is typically administered to enhance fetal lung maturity before 34 weeks of gestation, not for placenta previa. Its use at 35 weeks is less common unless there's a risk of preterm birth within 7 days and the patient hasn't received a previous course.
Choice C reason:
Checking the cervix can induce bleeding and is contraindicated in placenta previa because it may disturb the placental site and exacerbate bleeding.
Choice D reason:
Misoprostol is used for labor induction or to treat postpartum hemorrhage. It is not indicated for placenta previa management and can cause uterine contractions leading to increased bleeding.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reviewing a laboratory report for a client who is at 33 weeks of gestation and has preeclampsia. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse report to the provider?
A. BUN 35 mg/dL.
The nurse should report a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 35 mg/dL to the provider. BUN measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood and is used to assess kidney function. An elevated BUN can indicate impaired renal function, which is a concern in preeclampsia, as it may signify reduced blood flow to the kidneys.
B. Hgb 15 mg/dL.
Hemoglobin (Hgb) level of 15 mg/dL is within the normal range for pregnancy (normal range: 11-15 g/dL), so there is no need to report it to the provider.
C. Bilirubin 0.6 mg/dL.
Bilirubin level of 0.6 mg/dL is within the normal range (normal range: 0.2-1.3 mg/dL), so there is no need to report it to the provider.
D. Hct 37%.
Hematocrit (Hct) level of 37% is within the normal range for pregnancy (normal range: 33- 45%), so there is no need to report it to the provider.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should report a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 35 mg/dL to the provider. BUN measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood and is used to assess kidney function. An elevated BUN can indicate impaired renal function, which is a concern in preeclampsia, as it may signify reduced blood flow to the kidneys.
Choice B rationale:
Hemoglobin (Hgb) level of 15 mg/dL is within the normal range for pregnancy (normal range: 11-15 g/dL), so there is no need to report it to the provider.
Choice C rationale:
Bilirubin level of 0.6 mg/dL is within the normal range (normal range: 0.2-1.3 mg/dL), so there is no need to report it to the provider.
Choice D rationale:
Hematocrit (Hct) level of 37% is within the normal range for pregnancy (normal range: 33- 45%), so there is no need to report it to the provider.
A nurse is assessing a newborn who is 48 hours old and is experiencing opioid withdrawals. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypotonicity.
Hypotonicity, or decreased muscle tone, is not an expected finding in a newborn experiencing opioid withdrawals. Opioid withdrawal symptoms usually involve increased muscle tone and jitteriness.
B. Moderate tremors of the extremities.
Moderate tremors of the extremities are an expected finding in a newborn experiencing opioid withdrawals. Neonates born to mothers who used opioids during pregnancy can exhibit tremors, irritability, and other withdrawal symptoms.
C. Axillary temperature 36.1°C (96.9°F)
An axillary temperature of 36.1°C (96.9°F) is within the normal range for a newborn's body temperature, so it is not directly related to opioid withdrawal and is not the expected finding in this situation.
D. Excessive sleeping.
Excessive sleeping is not an expected finding in a newborn experiencing opioid withdrawals. Opioid withdrawal can lead to increased wakefulness and irritability in newborns.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Hypotonicity, or decreased muscle tone, is not an expected finding in a newborn experiencing opioid withdrawals. Opioid withdrawal symptoms usually involve increased muscle tone and jitteriness.
Choice B rationale:
Moderate tremors of the extremities are an expected finding in a newborn experiencing opioid withdrawals. Neonates born to mothers who used opioids during pregnancy can exhibit tremors, irritability, and other withdrawal symptoms.
Choice C rationale:
An axillary temperature of 36.1°C (96.9°F) is within the normal range for a newborn's body temperature, so it is not directly related to opioid withdrawal and is not the expected finding in this situation.
Choice D rationale:
Excessive sleeping is not an expected finding in a newborn experiencing opioid withdrawals. Opioid withdrawal can lead to increased wakefulness and irritability in newborns.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin to augment labor. The client has an intrauterine pressure catheter and an internal fetal scalp electrode for monitoring. Which of the following is an indication that the nurse should discontinue the infusion?
A. Contraction frequency every 3 minutes.
The nurse should discontinue the oxytocin infusion if the client's contraction frequency is every 3 minutes. Frequent contractions may lead to uterine hyperstimulation, which can reduce fetal blood flow and oxygenation, potentially causing fetal distress. Normal contraction frequency during labor is typically every 2 to 5 minutes.
B. Contraction duration of 100 seconds.
Contraction duration of 100 seconds is not an indication to discontinue the oxytocin infusion. The duration of contractions can vary during labor, and 100 seconds is within the normal range of contraction duration, which is usually 45 to 90 seconds.
C. Fetal heart rate with moderate variability.
Fetal heart rate with moderate variability is not an indication to discontinue the oxytocin infusion. Moderate variability in fetal heart rate is a reassuring sign, indicating a healthy fetal response to labor. It shows that the fetus is tolerating the contractions well and is not experiencing fetal distress.
D. Fetal heart rate of 118/min.
A fetal heart rate of 118/min is not an indication to discontinue the oxytocin infusion. The normal fetal heart rate range is typically between 110 to 160 beats per minute, and a heart rate of 118/min falls within this normal range. However, if the fetal heart rate deviates significantly from the normal range or shows signs of distress, further assessment and intervention are required.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should discontinue the oxytocin infusion if the client's contraction frequency is every 3 minutes. Frequent contractions may lead to uterine hyperstimulation, which can reduce fetal blood flow and oxygenation, potentially causing fetal distress. Normal contraction frequency during labor is typically every 2 to 5 minutes.
Choice B rationale:
Contraction duration of 100 seconds is not an indication to discontinue the oxytocin infusion. The duration of contractions can vary during labor, and 100 seconds is within the normal range of contraction duration, which is usually 45 to 90 seconds.
Choice C rationale:
Fetal heart rate with moderate variability is not an indication to discontinue the oxytocin infusion. Moderate variability in fetal heart rate is a reassuring sign, indicating a healthy fetal response to labor. It shows that the fetus is tolerating the contractions well and is not experiencing fetal distress.
Choice D rationale:
A fetal heart rate of 118/min is not an indication to discontinue the oxytocin infusion. The normal fetal heart rate range is typically between 110 to 160 beats per minute, and a heart rate of 118/min falls within this normal range. However, if the fetal heart rate deviates significantly from the normal range or shows signs of distress, further assessment and intervention are required.