Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labour and reports sudden, severe lower abdominal pain. The nurse observes a drop in the client's blood pressure and notes cool skin and pallor. The fetal heart rate tracing shows prolonged bradycardia. Which of the following complications should the nurse suspect?
A. Amniotic fluid embolism.
Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but serious complication during labor or immediately after delivery, where amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enter the mother's bloodstream and cause a severe reaction. While it may present with sudden and severe symptoms, such as hypotension and respiratory distress, it does not typically cause uterine rupture.
B. Uterine rupture.
Uterine rupture is a life-threatening emergency that can occur during labor, especially in women with previous uterine surgeries or trauma. The sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, cool skin, and pallor could indicate internal bleeding and shock, which are consistent with uterine rupture. Prolonged bradycardia on the fetal heart rate tracing suggests fetal distress due to compromised blood flow.
C. Umbilical cord prolapse.
Umbilical cord prolapse is another obstetric emergency that occurs when the umbilical cord slips through the cervix and gets compressed during labor, leading to fetal distress. It may cause variable decelerations in fetal heart rate, but it does not explain the maternal symptoms described in the scenario, such as the sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, hypotension, cool skin, and pallor.
D. Placenta previa.
Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta covers part or all of the cervix, and it can lead to painless vaginal bleeding. While it can cause fetal distress, it does not explain the maternal symptoms like the sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, hypotension, cool skin, and pallor. Prolonged bradycardia on the fetal heart rate tracing is more suggestive of uterine rupture.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Maternal Newborn 2019 NGN Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but serious complication during labor or immediately after delivery, where amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enter the mother's bloodstream and cause a severe reaction. While it may present with sudden and severe symptoms, such as hypotension and respiratory distress, it does not typically cause uterine rupture.
Choice B rationale:
Uterine rupture is a life-threatening emergency that can occur during labor, especially in women with previous uterine surgeries or trauma. The sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, cool skin, and pallor could indicate internal bleeding and shock, which are consistent with uterine rupture. Prolonged bradycardia on the fetal heart rate tracing suggests fetal distress due to compromised blood flow.
Choice C rationale:
Umbilical cord prolapse is another obstetric emergency that occurs when the umbilical cord slips through the cervix and gets compressed during labor, leading to fetal distress. It may cause variable decelerations in fetal heart rate, but it does not explain the maternal symptoms described in the scenario, such as the sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, hypotension, cool skin, and pallor.
Choice D rationale:
Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta covers part or all of the cervix, and it can lead to painless vaginal bleeding. While it can cause fetal distress, it does not explain the maternal symptoms like the sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, hypotension, cool skin, and pallor. Prolonged bradycardia on the fetal heart rate tracing is more suggestive of uterine rupture.
Similar Questions
A nurse is planning care for a full-term newborn who is receiving phototherapy. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Avoid using lotion or ointment on the newborn's skin.
When a newborn is receiving phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia, it is essential to avoid using lotions or ointments on the skin. Phototherapy works by breaking down bilirubin in the skin, and any barriers like lotions or ointments can interfere with this process. The baby's skin needs to be exposed to the light to effectively reduce bilirubin levels.
B. Dress the newborn in lightweight clothing.
Dressing the newborn in lightweight clothing is a correct action during phototherapy. The baby should be undressed and placed under the phototherapy lights, with only a diaper on to maximize skin exposure to the light.
C. Keep the newborn supine throughout treatment.
Keeping the newborn supine throughout treatment is not a recommended action during phototherapy. To optimize skin exposure to the light, the baby should be placed in a prone position, with the back exposed to the light source.
D. Measure the newborn's temperature every 6 hr.
Measuring the newborn's temperature every 6 hours is essential, but it is not directly related to phototherapy. Temperature monitoring is a routine part of newborn care to assess for signs of infection or other health issues.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
When a newborn is receiving phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia, it is essential to avoid using lotions or ointments on the skin. Phototherapy works by breaking down bilirubin in the skin, and any barriers like lotions or ointments can interfere with this process. The baby's skin needs to be exposed to the light to effectively reduce bilirubin levels.
Choice B rationale:
Dressing the newborn in lightweight clothing is a correct action during phototherapy. The baby should be undressed and placed under the phototherapy lights, with only a diaper on to maximize skin exposure to the light.
Choice C rationale:
Keeping the newborn supine throughout treatment is not a recommended action during phototherapy. To optimize skin exposure to the light, the baby should be placed in a prone position, with the back exposed to the light source.
Choice D rationale:
Measuring the newborn's temperature every 6 hours is essential, but it is not directly related to phototherapy. Temperature monitoring is a routine part of newborn care to assess for signs of infection or other health issues.
A nurse is assessing a newborn whose mother had gestational diabetes mellitus. The nurse should monitor for which of the following findings as a manifestation of hypoglycemia?
A. Abdominal distention.
Abdominal distention is not a typical manifestation of hypoglycemia in a newborn. Instead, it can be associated with gastrointestinal issues or other conditions affecting the abdominal organs.
B. Petechiae.
Petechiae are small, pinpoint purple or red spots that appear on the skin due to broken capillaries. They are not related to hypoglycemia and can be caused by various factors such as blood clotting disorders or infections.
C. Increased muscle tone.
Increased muscle tone is not typically associated with hypoglycemia in a newborn. Instead, hypoglycemic babies may exhibit decreased muscle tone, lethargy, and poor feeding.
D. Jitteriness.
Jitteriness is a common manifestation of hypoglycemia in newborns. It is characterized by rhythmic tremors, often involving the face and extremities. This occurs because the brain relies heavily on glucose for energy, and low blood sugar levels can affect neurological function, leading to jitteriness. Prompt intervention is necessary to prevent further complications.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Abdominal distention is not a typical manifestation of hypoglycemia in a newborn. Instead, it can be associated with gastrointestinal issues or other conditions affecting the abdominal organs.
Choice B rationale:
Petechiae are small, pinpoint purple or red spots that appear on the skin due to broken capillaries. They are not related to hypoglycemia and can be caused by various factors such as blood clotting disorders or infections.
Choice C rationale:
Increased muscle tone is not typically associated with hypoglycemia in a newborn. Instead, hypoglycemic babies may exhibit decreased muscle tone, lethargy, and poor feeding.
Choice D rationale:
Jitteriness is a common manifestation of hypoglycemia in newborns. It is characterized by rhythmic tremors, often involving the face and extremities. This occurs because the brain relies heavily on glucose for energy, and low blood sugar levels can affect neurological function, leading to jitteriness. Prompt intervention is necessary to prevent further complications.
A nurse is assessing a newborn whose mother had a primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy. The newborn acquired CMV transplacentally. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect the newborn to exhibit?
A. Cataracts
Cataracts are not a common finding in newborns with congenital CMV infection. Cataracts are more commonly associated with other congenital infections like rubella, toxoplasmosis, and herpes simplex virus (HSV).
B. Hearing loss.
Hearing loss is one of the most common manifestations of congenital CMV infection. Up to 40-58% of infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection develop sensorineural hearing loss, which can be unilateral or bilateral, and progressive over time.
C. Macrosomia
Macrosomia, or large birth size, is not a typical finding in congenital CMV infection. In fact, infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection are more likely to be small for gestational age or have intrauterine growth restriction.
D. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is not a common presentation of congenital CMV infection. CMV can cause inclusion bodies in the urine, but overt UTI is not a typical finding. More common manifestations include petechiae, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, and central nervous system involvement.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice **b. Hearing loss**.
Choice A rationale:
Cataracts are not a common finding in newborns with congenital CMV infection. Cataracts are more commonly associated with other congenital infections like rubella, toxoplasmosis, and herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Choice B rationale:
Hearing loss is one of the most common manifestations of congenital CMV infection. Up to 40-58% of infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection develop sensorineural hearing loss, which can be unilateral or bilateral, and progressive over time.
Choice C rationale:
Macrosomia, or large birth size, is not a typical finding in congenital CMV infection. In fact, infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection are more likely to be small for gestational age or have intrauterine growth restriction.
Choice D rationale:
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is not a common presentation of congenital CMV infection. CMV can cause inclusion bodies in the urine, but overt UTI is not a typical finding. More common manifestations include petechiae, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, and central nervous system involvement.