Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and experiencing hypertension. Which of the following tests should the nurse use to monitor fetal well-being?
A. Maternal Hgb and Hct
Maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are important indicators of the mother's health but are not direct indicators of fetal well-being.
B. Coombs test
A Coombs test is performed on newborns to assess for hemolytic disease, not to monitor fetal well-being.
C. Biophysical profile
A biophysical profile assesses multiple parameters of fetal well-being, including fetal heart rate, fetal movement, fetal breathing, amniotic fluid volume, and fetal tone.
D. Alpha fetoprotein
An alpha-fetoprotein test is a screening test for neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities but is not typically used to monitor fetal well-being in hypertensive pregnancies.
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Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are important indicators of the mother's health but are not direct indicators of fetal well-being.
Choice B rationale:
A Coombs test is performed on newborns to assess for hemolytic disease, not to monitor fetal well-being.
Choice C rationale:
A biophysical profile assesses multiple parameters of fetal well-being, including fetal heart rate, fetal movement, fetal breathing, amniotic fluid volume, and fetal tone.
Choice D rationale:
An alpha-fetoprotein test is a screening test for neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities but is not typically used to monitor fetal well-being in hypertensive pregnancies.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has HELLP syndrome. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hgb 13 g/dl
A hemoglobin level of 13 g/dL is within the normal range and is not specifically indicative of HELLP syndrome.
B. BUN 8 mg/dL
A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 8 mg/dL is within the normal range and is not typically associated with HELLP syndrome.
C. Bilirubin 1.8 mg/dL
Elevated bilirubin levels are a characteristic feature of HELLP syndrome, which involves liver dysfunction.
D. Hct 38%
A hematocrit level of 38% is within the normal range and is not specifically indicative of HELLP syndrome.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
A hemoglobin level of 13 g/dL is within the normal range and is not specifically indicative of HELLP syndrome.
Choice B rationale:
A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 8 mg/dL is within the normal range and is not typically associated with HELLP syndrome.
Choice C rationale:
Elevated bilirubin levels are a characteristic feature of HELLP syndrome, which involves liver dysfunction.
Choice D rationale:
A hematocrit level of 38% is within the normal range and is not specifically indicative of HELLP syndrome.
A nurse manager on a labor and delivery unit is discussing care of clients who have vaginal bleeding due to placenta previa with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements should the nurse manager make?
A. "Administer corticosteroids if the client is at more than 34 weeks of gestation."
Administering corticosteroids is relevant for clients at risk of preterm labor, not specifically for placenta previa.
B. "Initiate continuous monitoring of the FHR and uterine contractions."
Placenta previa can lead to bleeding and potential fetal distress. Continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions is essential to promptly identify any signs of distress.
C. "Administer terbutaline subcutaneously if the client experiences uterine atony."
Terbutaline is a tocolytic medication used to suppress uterine contractions, and it's not relevant for managing uterine atony associated with placenta previa.
D. "Perform a vaginal exam to determine cervical dilation."
Performing a vaginal exam can further increase the risk of bleeding in cases of placenta previa and is generally contraindicated due to the risk of disturbing the placental site.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Administering corticosteroids is relevant for clients at risk of preterm labor, not specifically for placenta previa.
Choice B rationale:
Placenta previa can lead to bleeding and potential fetal distress. Continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions is essential to promptly identify any signs of distress.
Choice C rationale:
Terbutaline is a tocolytic medication used to suppress uterine contractions, and it's not relevant for managing uterine atony associated with placenta previa.
Choice D rationale:
Performing a vaginal exam can further increase the risk of bleeding in cases of placenta previa and is generally contraindicated due to the risk of disturbing the placental site.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has type 1 diabetes and is planning to become pregnant. Which of the following information should the nurse include?
A. "Your baby could be very large if you don't control your blood sugar level."
Poorly controlled blood sugar levels can lead to fetal overgrowth (macrosomia), which increases the risk of a large baby during delivery.
B. "Your baby is at an increased risk for having high blood sugar levels after delivery."
High blood sugar levels after delivery are not specific to babies born to mothers with type 1 diabetes.
C. "You can expect to decrease your insulin dosage during the second and third trimesters.
Insulin dosage requirements often increase during the second and third trimesters due to insulin resistance, not decrease.
D. "You will have an increased risk for developing ketoacidosis during the first trimester."
The risk of ketoacidosis is not typically increased in the first trimester; rather, the focus is on controlling blood sugar levels to minimize risks to the developing fetus.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Poorly controlled blood sugar levels can lead to fetal overgrowth (macrosomia), which increases the risk of a large baby during delivery.
Choice B rationale:
High blood sugar levels after delivery are not specific to babies born to mothers with type 1 diabetes.
Choice C rationale:
Insulin dosage requirements often increase during the second and third trimesters due to insulin resistance, not decrease.
Choice D rationale:
The risk of ketoacidosis is not typically increased in the first trimester; rather, the focus is on controlling blood sugar levels to minimize risks to the developing fetus.