Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
Educating a client about starting nifedipine (Procardia) for preterm labor prevention, the nurse knows that her educational plan for this client should include which of the following?
A. Your respiratory rate may slow down, so make sure to monitor your breathing rate!
B. You will most likely be hospitalized until delivery while on your medication
C. You should try to get up slowly and drink plenty of fluids
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that can cause hypotension as a side effect, so the client should be advised to rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid dizziness or fainting. The client does not necessarily need to be hospitalized and should continue taking the medication until a healthcare provider advises otherwise. The medication is typically continued until around 36-37 weeks gestation. There is no need to monitor respiratory rate with this medication.
D. You will stop this medication at 28 weeks.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Final Exam OB + Community Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that can cause hypotension as a side effect, so the client should be advised to rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid dizziness or fainting. The client does not necessarily need to be hospitalized and should continue taking the medication until a healthcare provider advises otherwise. The medication is typically continued until around 36-37 weeks gestation. There is no need to monitor respiratory rate with this medication.
Similar Questions
A woman in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation receives two 12 mg doses of betamethasone (Celestane) intramuscularly. The purpose of this pharmacologic treatment is to:
A. Reduce maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with terbutaline administration.
B. Suppress uterine contractions.
C. Stimulate fetal surfactant production.
Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that enhances fetal lung maturity, which can help reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and other complications in preterm infants. It does not reduce maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with terbutaline administration, suppress uterine contractions, or maintain maternal respiratory effort and ventilation during magnesium sulfate therapy.
D. Maintain adequate maternal respiratory effort and ventilation during magnesium sulfate therapy.
Full Explanation
Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that enhances fetal lung maturity, which can help reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and other complications in preterm infants. It does not reduce maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with terbutaline administration, suppress uterine contractions, or maintain maternal respiratory effort and ventilation during magnesium sulfate therapy.
A client has completed the 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) after failing the initial screening. The nurse notes the client has failed the 2-hour and 3-hour tests. The nurse anticipates that the client will:
A. Continue routine prenatal care.
B. Be referred to an endocrinologist.
In some cases, an endocrinologist may also be involved in the management of gestational diabetes. The nurse can anticipate that the client will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes and will be referred to a dietician for dietary modifications and glucose monitoring during the remainder of her pregnancy. Regular prenatal care will also continue, and the healthcare provider may adjust the treatment plan based on the client's individual needs. However, a diagnosis of Type II diabetes would not be made solely based on a failed GTT during pregnancy, as gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that usually resolves after delivery.
C. Be diagnosed with Type II diabetes.
D. Be referred to a dietician.
Full Explanation
In some cases, an endocrinologist may also be involved in the management of gestational diabetes. The nurse can anticipate that the client will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes and will be referred to a dietician for dietary modifications and glucose monitoring during the remainder of her pregnancy. Regular prenatal care will also continue, and the healthcare provider may adjust the treatment plan based on the client's individual needs.
However, a diagnosis of Type II diabetes would not be made solely based on a failed GTT during pregnancy, as gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that usually resolves after delivery.
The home health nurse is assessing a 17-year-old pregnant client at 34 weeks of gestation who has been diagnosed with preeclampsia. Upon assessment, the nurse finds that the client has gained 2 pounds in the past week and her blood pressure is 144/92 mmHg. Which assessment finding would require further action by the nurse?
A. Visual disturbances
Visual disturbances would require further action by the nurse as they can be a sign of worsening preeclampsia and a potential indication for immediate medical attention. The client's recent weight gain and elevated blood pressure are also concerning findings, but visual disturbances are a more urgent symptom. Frequent voiding in large amounts and 1+ pedal edema are common in pregnancy, while one headache in the past week may or may not be significant depending on the context.
B. Frequent voiding in large amounts
C. 1+ pedal edema
D. One headache in the past week
Full Explanation
Visual disturbances would require further action by the nurse as they can be a sign of worsening preeclampsia and a potential indication for immediate medical attention. The client's recent weight gain and elevated blood pressure are also concerning findings, but visual disturbances are a more urgent symptom. Frequent voiding in large amounts and 1+ pedal edema are common in pregnancy, while one headache in the past week may or may not be significant depending on the context.