Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A patient with pregnancy-induced hypertension is admitted complaining of pounding headache, visual changes, and epigastric pain.
Nursing care is based on the knowledge that these signs are an indication of:
A. Anxiety due to hospitalization.
Anxiety due to hospitalization is not a likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. Anxiety can cause some symptoms, such as headache, palpitations, or sweating, but it does not cause visual changes or epigastric pain. Anxiety is also not a common complication of pregnancy-induced hypertension, which is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
B. Effects of magnesium sulfate.
Effects of magnesium sulfate are not a likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. Magnesium sulfate is a medication used to prevent seizures and lower blood pressure in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension. It can cause some side effects, such as flushing, nausea, or drowsiness, but it does not cause headache, visual changes, or epigastric pain. In fact, magnesium sulfate can help relieve these symptoms by reducing the cerebral edema and vasospasm caused by pregnancy-induced hypertension.
C. Worsening disease and impending convulsion.
Worsening disease and impending convulsion are the most likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. These signs indicate that the patient is developing severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, which are life-threatening complications of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and signs of organ damage, such as headache, visual changes, epigastric pain, or decreased urine output. Eclampsia is the occurrence of seizures in a patient with preeclampsia. These conditions can lead to stroke, bleeding, placental abruption, or fetal distress, and require immediate medical attention.
D. Gastrointestinal upset.
Gastrointestinal upset is not a likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. Gastrointestinal upset can cause some symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, but it does not cause headache, visual changes, or epigastric pain. Gastrointestinal upset is also not a common complication of pregnancy-induced hypertension, which is a condition that affects the blood vessels and organs, not the digestive system.
E. Gastrointestinal upset.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ati Maternal Newborn Midterm Proctored Exam 1. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Anxiety due to hospitalization is not a likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. Anxiety can cause some symptoms, such as headache, palpitations, or sweating, but it does not cause visual changes or epigastric pain. Anxiety is also not a common complication of pregnancy-induced hypertension, which is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
Choice B reason: Effects of magnesium sulfate are not a likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. Magnesium sulfate is a medication used to prevent seizures and lower blood pressure in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension. It can cause some side effects, such as flushing, nausea, or drowsiness, but it does not cause headache, visual changes, or epigastric pain. In fact, magnesium sulfate can help relieve these symptoms by reducing the cerebral edema and vasospasm caused by pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Choice C reason: Worsening disease and impending convulsion are the most likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. These signs indicate that the patient is developing severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, which are life-threatening complications of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and signs of organ damage, such as headache, visual changes, epigastric pain, or decreased urine output. Eclampsia is the occurrence of seizures in a patient with preeclampsia. These conditions can lead to stroke, bleeding, placental abruption, or fetal distress, and require immediate medical attention.
Choice D reason: Gastrointestinal upset is not a likely cause of the signs reported by the patient. Gastrointestinal upset can cause some symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, but it does not cause headache, visual changes, or epigastric pain. Gastrointestinal upset is also not a common complication of pregnancy-induced hypertension, which is a condition that affects the blood vessels and organs, not the digestive system.
Similar Questions
A placenta previa in which the placental edge just reaches the internal os is more commonly known as:
A. total.
A total placenta previa is when the placenta completely covers the internal os, blocking the baby's exit from the uterus.
B. marginal.
Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta implants in the lower uterine segment and may cover or be near the cervical internal os. When the placental edge just reaches the internal os but does not cover it, it is called a marginal previa.
C. complete.
A complete placenta previa is when the placenta partially covers the internal os, reducing the space for the baby to pass through.
D. partial.
"Partial placenta previa" refers to a situation where the placenta partially covers the internal cervical os — meaning some, but not all, of the opening is obstructed by placental tissue.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: A total placenta previa is when the placenta completely covers the internal os, blocking the baby's exit from the uterus.
Choice B reason: Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta implants in the lower uterine segment and may cover or be near the cervical internal os. When the placental edge just reaches the internal os but does not cover it, it is called a marginal previa.
Choice C reason: A complete placenta previa is when the placenta partially covers the internal os, reducing the space for the baby to pass through.
Choice D reason: "Partial placenta previa" refers to a situation where the placenta partially covers the internal cervical os — meaning some, but not all, of the opening is obstructed by placental tissue.
A primigravida is being monitored in her prenatal clinic for preeclampsia. What finding should concern her nurse?
A. Blood pressure (BP) increase to 138/86 mm Hg.
A blood pressure increase to 138/86 mm Hg is not a concerning finding for preeclampsia. The diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia include a BP of 140/90 mm Hg or higher on two occasions at least 4 hours apart, or a BP of 160/110 mm Hg or higher on one occasion.
B. Pitting pedal edema at the end of the day.
Pitting pedal edema at the end of the day is not a concerning finding for preeclampsia. Edema is a common symptom of pregnancy and can be influenced by factors such as hydration, activity, and posture. Edema is not a reliable indicator of preeclampsia.
C. Weight gain of 0.5 kg during the past 2 weeks.
Weight gain of 0.5 kg during the past 2 weeks is not a concerning finding for preeclampsia. The recommended weight gain for a normal-weight woman during pregnancy is 11.5 to 16 kg, with an average of 0.4 kg per week in the second and third trimesters.
D. A dipstick value of 3+ for protein in her urine.
A dipstick value of 3+ for protein in her urine is a concerning finding for preeclampsia. Proteinuria is one of the hallmark signs of preeclampsia and indicates renal impairment. A dipstick value of 3+ corresponds to a protein concentration of 300 mg/dL or higher, which is considered severe.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: A blood pressure increase to 138/86 mm Hg is not a concerning finding for preeclampsia. The diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia include a BP of 140/90 mm Hg or higher on two occasions at least 4 hours apart, or a BP of 160/110 mm Hg or higher on one occasion.
Choice B reason: Pitting pedal edema at the end of the day is not a concerning finding for preeclampsia. Edema is a common symptom of pregnancy and can be influenced by factors such as hydration, activity, and posture. Edema is not a reliable indicator of preeclampsia.
Choice C reason: Weight gain of 0.5 kg during the past 2 weeks is not a concerning finding for preeclampsia. The recommended weight gain for a normal-weight woman during pregnancy is 11.5 to 16 kg, with an average of 0.4 kg per week in the second and third trimesters.
Choice D reason: A dipstick value of 3+ for protein in her urine is a concerning finding for preeclampsia. Proteinuria is one of the hallmark signs of preeclampsia and indicates renal impairment. A dipstick value of 3+ corresponds to a protein concentration of 300 mg/dL or higher, which is considered severe.
As related to the care of the patient with miscarriage, nurses should be aware that:
A. it is a natural pregnancy loss before labor begins.
A miscarriage is defined as a spontaneous abortion of a fetus before the 20th week of gestation. It is a natural pregnancy loss that occurs before labor begins and is usually caused by chromosomal abnormalities, infections, or maternal health problems.
B. it often can be attributed to careless maternal behavior such as poor nutrition or excessive exercise.
A miscarriage is not often attributed to careless maternal behavior such as poor nutrition or excessive exercise. These factors may affect the quality of life of the mother and the fetus, but they are not the main causes of miscarriage. Most miscarriages are not preventable and are not the fault of the mother.
C. if it occurs before the 12th week of pregnancy, it may manifest only as moderate discomfort and blood loss.
A miscarriage that occurs before the 12th week of pregnancy may manifest only as moderate discomfort and blood loss, but this is not always the case. Some women may experience severe cramping, bleeding, and tissue passing from the vagina. Others may have no symptoms at all and only discover the miscarriage during a routine ultrasound.
D. it occurs in fewer than 5% of all clinically recognized pregnancies.
A miscarriage occurs in more than 5% of all clinically recognized pregnancies. The actual rate of miscarriage is estimated to be 10% to 20%, but many women may not realize they are pregnant or may not report the loss to their health care provider.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: A miscarriage is defined as a spontaneous abortion of a fetus before the 20th week of gestation. It is a natural pregnancy loss that occurs before labor begins and is usually caused by chromosomal abnormalities, infections, or maternal health problems.
Choice B reason: A miscarriage is not often attributed to careless maternal behavior such as poor nutrition or excessive exercise. These factors may affect the quality of life of the mother and the fetus, but they are not the main causes of miscarriage. Most miscarriages are not preventable and are not the fault of the mother.
Choice C reason: A miscarriage that occurs before the 12th week of pregnancy may manifest only as moderate discomfort and blood loss, but this is not always the case. Some women may experience severe cramping, bleeding, and tissue passing from the vagina. Others may have no symptoms at all and only discover the miscarriage during a routine ultrasound.
Choice D reason: A miscarriage occurs in more than 5% of all clinically recognized pregnancies. The actual rate of miscarriage is estimated to be 10% to 20%, but many women may not realize they are pregnant or may not report the loss to their health care provider.