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NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
What should the nurse tell a pregnant woman at 10 weeks of gestation who jogs 3 or 4 times per week and is concerned about the effect of exercise on the fetus?
A. You may find that you need to modify your exercise to walking later in your pregnancy, around the seventh month.
This is the best advice for the woman, as it acknowledges that jogging is safe and beneficial in early pregnancy, but also informs her that she may need to adjust her exercise intensity and duration as her pregnancy progresses. Walking is a low-impact aerobic activity that can be done throughout pregnancy, as long as there are no complications or contraindications. Walking can help maintain cardiovascular fitness, prevent excessive weight gain, and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
B. "Jogging is too hard on your joints; switch to walking now."
This is not a good advice for the woman, as it implies that jogging is harmful for her joints and that she should stop it immediately. Jogging is not necessarily bad for the joints, as long as the woman wears appropriate shoes, avoids uneven surfaces, and listens to her body. Jogging can also provide many health benefits for the woman and the fetus, such as improved mood, increased energy, and reduced stress².
C. "Stop exercising, because it will harm the fetus."
This is a false and alarming statement that may discourage the woman from exercising at all. Exercise during pregnancy is not dangerous for the fetus unless there are specific medical conditions or complications that prevent it. Exercise during pregnancy can improve the fetal growth, development, and oxygenation, as well as reduce the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
D. You do not need to modify your exercising any time during your pregnancy.
This is an unrealistic and misleading statement that may cause the woman to overexert herself or ignore the signs of discomfort or fatigue. Exercise during pregnancy may need to be modified according to the woman's changing needs, abilities, and preferences. Some factors that may affect the type, frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise during pregnancy include the trimester, the fetal position, the maternal weight, the environmental temperature, and the presence of any symptoms or complications.
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: This is the best advice for the woman, as it acknowledges that jogging is safe and beneficial in early pregnancy, but also informs her that she may need to adjust her exercise intensity and duration as her pregnancy progresses. Walking is a low-impact aerobic activity that can be done throughout pregnancy, as long as there are no complications or contraindications. Walking can help maintain cardiovascular fitness, prevent excessive weight gain, and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
Choice B reason: This is not a good advice for the woman, as it implies that jogging is harmful for her joints and that she should stop it immediately. Jogging is not necessarily bad for the joints, as long as the woman wears appropriate shoes, avoids uneven surfaces, and listens to her body. Jogging can also provide many health benefits for the woman and the fetus, such as improved mood, increased energy, and reduced stress².
Choice C reason: This is a false and alarming statement that may discourage the woman from exercising at all. Exercise during pregnancy is not dangerous for the fetus unless there are specific medical conditions or complications that prevent it. Exercise during pregnancy can improve the fetal growth, development, and oxygenation, as well as reduce the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
Choice D reason: This is an unrealistic and misleading statement that may cause the woman to overexert herself or ignore the signs of discomfort or fatigue. Exercise during pregnancy may need to be modified according to the woman's changing needs, abilities, and preferences. Some factors that may affect the type, frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise during pregnancy include the trimester, the fetal position, the maternal weight, the environmental temperature, and the presence of any symptoms or complications.
Similar Questions
What should the nurse tell a pregnant woman at 10 weeks of gestation who jogs 3 or 4 times per week and is concerned about the effect of exercise on the fetus?
A. You may find that you need to modify your exercise to walking later in your pregnancy, around the seventh month.
This is the best advice for the woman, as it acknowledges that jogging is safe and beneficial in early pregnancy, but also informs her that she may need to adjust her exercise intensity and duration as her pregnancy progresses. Walking is a low-impact aerobic activity that can be done throughout pregnancy, as long as there are no complications or contraindications. Walking can help maintain cardiovascular fitness, prevent excessive weight gain, and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
B. "Jogging is too hard on your joints; switch to walking now."
This is not a good advice for the woman, as it implies that jogging is harmful for her joints and that she should stop it immediately. Jogging is not necessarily bad for the joints, as long as the woman wears appropriate shoes, avoids uneven surfaces, and listens to her body. Jogging can also provide many health benefits for the woman and the fetus, such as improved mood, increased energy, and reduced stress².
C. "Stop exercising, because it will harm the fetus."
This is a false and alarming statement that may discourage the woman from exercising at all. Exercise during pregnancy is not dangerous for the fetus, unless there are specific medical conditions or complications that prevent it. Exercise during pregnancy can actually improve the fetal growth, development, and oxygenation, as well as reduce the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
D. You do not need to modify your exercising any time during your pregnancy.
This is an unrealistic and misleading statement that may cause the woman to overexert herself or ignore the signs of discomfort or fatigue. Exercise during pregnancy may need to be modified according to the woman's changing needs, abilities, and preferences. Some factors that may affect the type, frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise during pregnancy include the trimester, the fetal position, the maternal weight, the environmental temperature, and the presence of any symptoms or complications.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is A. You may find that you need to modify your exercise to walking later in your pregnancy, around the seventh month.
Choice A reason: This is the best advice for the woman, as it acknowledges that jogging is safe and beneficial in early pregnancy, but also informs her that she may need to adjust her exercise intensity and duration as her pregnancy progresses. Walking is a low-impact aerobic activity that can be done throughout pregnancy, as long as there are no complications or contraindications. Walking can help maintain cardiovascular fitness, prevent excessive weight gain, and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
Choice B reason: This is not a good advice for the woman, as it implies that jogging is harmful for her joints and that she should stop it immediately. Jogging is not necessarily bad for the joints, as long as the woman wears appropriate shoes, avoids uneven surfaces, and listens to her body. Jogging can also provide many health benefits for the woman and the fetus, such as improved mood, increased energy, and reduced stress².
Choice C reason: This is a false and alarming statement that may discourage the woman from exercising at all. Exercise during pregnancy is not dangerous for the fetus, unless there are specific medical conditions or complications that prevent it. Exercise during pregnancy can actually improve the fetal growth, development, and oxygenation, as well as reduce the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
Choice D reason: This is an unrealistic and misleading statement that may cause the woman to overexert herself or ignore the signs of discomfort or fatigue. Exercise during pregnancy may need to be modified according to the woman's changing needs, abilities, and preferences. Some factors that may affect the type, frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise during pregnancy include the trimester, the fetal position, the maternal weight, the environmental temperature, and the presence of any symptoms or complications.
What is the first action that the nurse should take when assessing the fetal heart rate (FHR) of a woman at 30 weeks of gestation and finding a rate of 82 beats/min?
A. Recognize that the rate is within normal limits and record it.
This is not the correct action, as the rate is not within normal limits. A normal FHR at 30 weeks of gestation is between 110 and 160 beats/min. A rate of 82 beats/min is considered bradycardia (slow heart rate), which can indicate fetal distress or hypoxia (low oxygen).
B. Notify the physician.
This is not the first action, but it may be necessary after confirming the FHR. The nurse should first rule out the possibility of a maternal-fetal heart rate confusion, which can occur when the maternal heart rate is mistakenly counted as the FHR. This can happen if the Doppler or the electronic fetal monitor is placed too close to the maternal pulse or if the maternal heart rate is unusually slow².
C. Assess the woman's radial pulse.
This is the correct action, as it can help differentiate between the maternal and the fetal heart rate. The nurse should assess the woman's radial pulse at the same time as listening to the FHR and compare the rates and rhythms. If the rates are the same or very close, it is likely that the nurse is hearing the maternal heart rate instead of the FHR. If the rates are different, it is likely that the nurse is hearing the FHR and that the fetus has bradycardia.
D. Allow the woman to hear the heartbeat.
This is not the correct action, as it may cause unnecessary anxiety or distress for the woman. The nurse should not allow the woman to hear the heartbeat until the FHR is confirmed and the cause of the bradycardia is determined. The nurse should also explain the situation to the woman and provide reassurance and support.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the correct action, as the rate is not within normal limits. A normal FHR at 30 weeks of gestation is between 110 and 160 beats/min. A rate of 82 beats/min is considered bradycardia (slow heart rate), which can indicate fetal distress or hypoxia (low oxygen).
Choice B reason: This is not the first action, but it may be necessary after confirming the FHR. The nurse should first rule out the possibility of a maternal-fetal heart rate confusion, which can occur when the maternal heart rate is mistakenly counted as the FHR. This can happen if the Doppler or the electronic fetal monitor is placed too close to the maternal pulse or if the maternal heart rate is unusually slow².
Choice C reason: This is the correct action, as it can help differentiate between the maternal and the fetal heart rate. The nurse should assess the woman's radial pulse at the same time as listening to the FHR and compare the rates and rhythms. If the rates are the same or very close, it is likely that the nurse is hearing the maternal heart rate instead of the FHR. If the rates are different, it is likely that the nurse is hearing the FHR and that the fetus has bradycardia.
Choice D reason: This is not the correct action, as it may cause unnecessary anxiety or distress for the woman. The nurse should not allow the woman to hear the heartbeat until the FHR is confirmed and the cause of the bradycardia is determined. The nurse should also explain the situation to the woman and provide reassurance and support.
Which of the following is a positive sign of pregnancy that can only be exhibited by a pregnant woman?
A. Fetal heartbeat auscultated with Doppler/fetoscope.
A fetal heartbeat auscultated with a Doppler or a fetoscope is a positive sign of pregnancy, as it confirms the presence of a living fetus in the uterus. A Doppler is an electronic device that uses sound waves to detect the fetal heart rate, while a fetoscope is a stethoscope-like instrument that amplifies the fetal heart sounds. The fetal heartbeat can be heard as early as 10 to 12 weeks of gestation with a Doppler and 18 to 20 weeks of gestation with a fetoscope.
B. Quickening
Quickening is the first perception of fetal movement by the pregnant woman, usually felt between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation for first-time mothers and 13 to 16 weeks of gestation for experienced mothers. However, quickening is not a positive sign of pregnancy, as it can be subjective and mistaken for other sensations, such as gas, hunger, or muscle spasms².
C. Morning sickness
Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy that involves nausea and vomiting, usually in the first trimester. However, morning sickness is not a positive sign of pregnancy, as it can be caused by other factors, such as food poisoning, stress, or medication.
D. Positive pregnancy test
A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign of pregnancy, not a positive sign. A pregnancy test detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta, in the urine or blood of the woman. However, a positive pregnancy test does not guarantee a viable pregnancy, as it can be influenced by the timing, the quality, or the interpretation of the test. A positive pregnancy test can also occur in cases of ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, or miscarriage.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: A fetal heartbeat auscultated with a Doppler or a fetoscope is a positive sign of pregnancy, as it confirms the presence of a living fetus in the uterus. A Doppler is an electronic device that uses sound waves to detect the fetal heart rate, while a fetoscope is a stethoscope-like instrument that amplifies the fetal heart sounds. The fetal heartbeat can be heard as early as 10 to 12 weeks of gestation with a Doppler and 18 to 20 weeks of gestation with a fetoscope.
Choice B reason: Quickening is the first perception of fetal movement by the pregnant woman, usually felt between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation for first-time mothers and 13 to 16 weeks of gestation for experienced mothers. However, quickening is not a positive sign of pregnancy, as it can be subjective and mistaken for other sensations, such as gas, hunger, or muscle spasms².
Choice C reason: Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy that involves nausea and vomiting, usually in the first trimester. However, morning sickness is not a positive sign of pregnancy, as it can be caused by other factors, such as food poisoning, stress, or medication.
Choice D reason: A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign of pregnancy, not a positive sign. A pregnancy test detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta, in the urine or blood of the woman. However, a positive pregnancy test does not guarantee a viable pregnancy, as it can be influenced by the timing, the quality, or the interpretation of the test. A positive pregnancy test can also occur in cases of ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, or miscarriage.