Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A. Dipstick value of 3+ for protein in her urine
Dipstick value of 3+ for protein in her urine is a sign of significant proteinuria, which is one of the diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia, along with hypertension. Proteinuria indicates renal damage and impaired glomerular filtration, which can lead to complications, such as oliguria, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome.
B. Pitting pedal edema at the end of the day
Pitting pedal edema at the end of the day is a common and expected finding in pregnancy, as it results from the increased blood volume, venous pressure, and fluid retention. Edema is not a reliable indicator of preeclampsia, unless it is severe, generalized, or sudden.
C. Weight gain of 0.5 kg during the past 2 weeks
Weight gain of 0.5 kg during the past 2 weeks is a normal and expected finding in pregnancy, as it reflects the growth and development of the fetus, placenta, and maternal tissues. Weight gain is not a reliable indicator of preeclampsia, unless it is excessive, rapid, or associated with edema.
D. Blood pressure (BP) increase to 138/86 mm Hg
Blood pressure (BP) increase to 138/86 mm Hg is a mild elevation that may indicate gestational hypertension, but not preeclampsia, unless it is accompanied by proteinuria or other signs of organ dysfunction. The diagnostic threshold for preeclampsia is a BP of 140/90 mm Hg or higher on two occasions at least four hours apart.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam 4. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Dipstick value of 3+ for protein in her urine is a sign of significant proteinuria, which is one of the diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia, along with hypertension. Proteinuria indicates renal damage and impaired glomerular filtration, which can lead to complications, such as oliguria, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome.
Choice B reason: Pitting pedal edema at the end of the day is a common and expected finding in pregnancy, as it results from the increased blood volume, venous pressure, and fluid retention. Edema is not a reliable indicator of preeclampsia, unless it is severe, generalized, or sudden.
Choice C reason: Weight gain of 0.5 kg during the past 2 weeks is a normal and expected finding in pregnancy, as it reflects the growth and development of the fetus, placenta, and maternal tissues. Weight gain is not a reliable indicator of preeclampsia, unless it is excessive, rapid, or associated with edema.
Choice D reason: Blood pressure (BP) increase to 138/86 mm Hg is a mild elevation that may indicate gestational hypertension, but not preeclampsia, unless it is accompanied by proteinuria or other signs of organ dysfunction. The diagnostic threshold for preeclampsia is a BP of 140/90 mm Hg or higher on two occasions at least four hours apart.
Similar Questions
What information regarding a fractured clavicle is most important for the nurse to take into consideration when planning the infant's care?
A. Prone positioning facilitates bone alignment.
Prone positioning is not typically recommended for a fractured clavicle in infants. It does not facilitate bone alignment in the case of clavicle fractures and is not part of standard care.
B. No special treatment is necessary.
This is the correct choice because clavicle fractures in newborns generally heal on their own without the need for special treatment. Parents may be instructed to pin the child’s sleeve to the front of their clothing to avoid moving the arm while it heals, but beyond gentle handling, no other special treatment is necessary. In most cases, clavicle fractures in newborns heal very quickly without any problems, and usually, no treatment is required.
C. The shoulder should be immobilized and cast applied.
Immobilization and casting are not standard care for newborn clavicle fractures. These fractures typically heal without such interventions, and immobilization with a cast is not needed for these types of injuries in infants.
D. Parents should be taught range-of-motion exercises.
While range-of-motion exercises might be beneficial later in the healing process, they are not the primary consideration immediately after the fracture occurs. The initial care plan focuses on gentle handling and comfort for the infant, not on exercises.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is B. No special treatment is necessary.
Choice A reason: Prone positioning is not typically recommended for a fractured clavicle in infants. It does not facilitate bone alignment in the case of clavicle fractures and is not part of standard care.
Choice B reason: This is the correct choice because clavicle fractures in newborns generally heal on their own without the need for special treatment. Parents may be instructed to pin the child’s sleeve to the front of their clothing to avoid moving the arm while it heals, but beyond gentle handling, no other special treatment is necessary. In most cases, clavicle fractures in newborns heal very quickly without any problems, and usually, no treatment is required.
Choice C reason: Immobilization and casting are not standard care for newborn clavicle fractures. These fractures typically heal without such interventions, and immobilization with a cast is not needed for these types of injuries in infants.
Choice D reason: While range-of-motion exercises might be beneficial later in the healing process, they are not the primary consideration immediately after the fracture occurs. The initial care plan focuses on gentle handling and comfort for the infant, not on exercises.
A nurse is caring for a client who gave birth 2 hr ago. The nurse notes that the client's blood pressure is 60/50 mm Hg. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a type and crossmatch.
Obtaining a type and crossmatch is not the first action that the nurse should take, as it is a preparatory step for blood transfusion, which may or may not be needed. The nurse should first identify the cause and severity of the hypotension, and initiate immediate interventions to stop the bleeding and restore the circulation.
B. Administer oxytocin infusion.
Administering oxytocin infusion is not the first action that the nurse should take, as it is a pharmacological intervention that requires a prescription and an assessment of the uterine tone and bleeding. The nurse should first evaluate the firmness of the uterus and massage it if needed, to stimulate the contraction and retraction of the uterine muscle.
C. Initiate oxygen therapy by nonrebreather mask.
Initiating oxygen therapy by nonrebreather mask is not the first action that the nurse should take, as it is a supportive intervention that aims to improve the oxygen delivery to the tissues and organs. The nurse should first address the underlying cause of the hypotension, which is most likely postpartum hemorrhage, and prevent further blood loss and shock.
D. Evaluate the firmness of the uterus.
Evaluating the firmness of the uterus is the first action that the nurse should take, as it can help determine the source and extent of the bleeding, and guide the subsequent interventions. The nurse should palpate the fundus and check the lochia, and report any signs of uterine atony, which is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Obtaining a type and crossmatch is not the first action that the nurse should take, as it is a preparatory step for blood transfusion, which may or may not be needed. The nurse should first identify the cause and severity of the hypotension, and initiate immediate interventions to stop the bleeding and restore the circulation.
Choice B reason: Administering oxytocin infusion is not the first action that the nurse should take, as it is a pharmacological intervention that requires a prescription and an assessment of the uterine tone and bleeding. The nurse should first evaluate the firmness of the uterus and massage it if needed, to stimulate the contraction and retraction of the uterine muscle.
Choice C reason: Initiating oxygen therapy by nonrebreather mask is not the first action that the nurse should take, as it is a supportive intervention that aims to improve the oxygen delivery to the tissues and organs. The nurse should first address the underlying cause of the hypotension, which is most likely postpartum hemorrhage, and prevent further blood loss and shock.
Choice D reason: Evaluating the firmness of the uterus is the first action that the nurse should take, as it can help determine the source and extent of the bleeding, and guide the subsequent interventions. The nurse should palpate the fundus and check the lochia, and report any signs of uterine atony, which is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
A nurse is preparing to administer oxygen via hood therapy to a newborn who was born at 30 weeks of gestation. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing action when providing care to this infant?
A. Place the newborn in Trendelenburg position.
Placing the newborn in Trendelenburg position is not an appropriate nursing action, as it can cause increased intracranial pressure, decreased lung expansion, and aspiration. The nurse should position the newborn in a neutral or slightly elevated head position, with the neck slightly extended.
B. Maintain oxygen saturations between 93% to 95%.
Maintaining oxygen saturations between 93% to 95% is an appropriate nursing action, as it ensures adequate oxygen delivery to the tissues and organs, while avoiding hyperoxia or hypoxia, which can cause complications, such as retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage, or necrotizing enterocolitis.
C. Insert an orogastric tube for decompression of the stomach.
Inserting an orogastric tube for decompression of the stomach is not an appropriate nursing action, as it is not indicated for oxygen hood therapy, unless the newborn has abdominal distension, vomiting, or feeding intolerance. The nurse should monitor the newborn's abdominal girth, bowel sounds, and feeding tolerance, and report any signs of gastrointestinal dysfunction.
D. Remove the hood every hour for 10 min to facilitate bonding.
Removing the hood every hour for 10 min to facilitate bonding is not an appropriate nursing action, as it can cause fluctuations in the oxygen concentration and temperature, and increase the risk of infection. The nurse should maintain the hood in place, and encourage the parents to touch, talk, and sing to the newborn, and provide skin-to-skin contact when possible.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Placing the newborn in Trendelenburg position is not an appropriate nursing action, as it can cause increased intracranial pressure, decreased lung expansion, and aspiration. The nurse should position the newborn in a neutral or slightly elevated head position, with the neck slightly extended.
Choice B reason: Maintaining oxygen saturations between 93% to 95% is an appropriate nursing action, as it ensures adequate oxygen delivery to the tissues and organs, while avoiding hyperoxia or hypoxia, which can cause complications, such as retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage, or necrotizing enterocolitis.
Choice C reason: Inserting an orogastric tube for decompression of the stomach is not an appropriate nursing action, as it is not indicated for oxygen hood therapy, unless the newborn has abdominal distension, vomiting, or feeding intolerance. The nurse should monitor the newborn's abdominal girth, bowel sounds, and feeding tolerance, and report any signs of gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Choice D reason: Removing the hood every hour for 10 min to facilitate bonding is not an appropriate nursing action, as it can cause fluctuations in the oxygen concentration and temperature, and increase the risk of infection. The nurse should maintain the hood in place, and encourage the parents to touch, talk, and sing to the newborn, and provide skin-to-skin contact when possible.