Chapter 11: Caring for the Woman Experiencing Complications During Pregnancy

Chapter 11: Caring for the Woman Experiencing Complications During Pregnancy

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A woman presents to the perinatal clinic with abdominal pain. She has missed one period and, following a transvaginal ultrasound, pregnancy is confirmed. However, implantation has occurred in the right fallopian tube. The ectopic mass is 3 cm and has not ruptured. The nurse prepares the patient for which therapy?

ANS:  B

Methotrexate, a chemotherapeutic drug and folic acid inhibitor that stops cell production and destroys remaining trophoblastic tissue, is used in the management of uncomplicated, non-life-threatening ectopic pregnancies. Patients are considered to be eligible for methotrexate therapy if the ectopic mass is unruptured and measures 4 cm or less on ultrasound examination. The other options would not be needed.

Cognitive Level: Application/Applying

Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity

Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation

Difficulty: Moderate

PTS:   1

2. The prenatal clinic nurse assesses a woman at 15 weeks’ gestation. The patient’s blood pressure, measured twice at intervals 1 hour apart with a cuff that fits appropriately, is 146/96 mm Hg. The nurse understands the patient has which condition?

ANS:  A

Chronic hypertension is defined as hypertension that is present and observable prior to pregnancy, or hypertension that is diagnosed before the 20th week of gestation. Hypertension is defined as a blood pressure greater than 140/90 mm Hg. Hypertension for which a diagnosis is confirmed for the first time during pregnancy and that persists beyond the 84th day postpartum is also classified as chronic hypertension. Gestational hypertension occurs after 28 weeks without proteinuria and is a temporary diagnosis used until more diagnostic testing can be accomplished.  Preeclampsia is an increased blood pressure seen after 20 weeks’ gestation accompanied by proteinuria. Transient hypertension describes women who develop gestational hypertension but have no preeclampsia and whose blood pressure returns to normal within 12 weeks postpartum. This diagnosis is used only after pregnancy.

Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering

Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity

Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation

Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment

Difficulty: Easy

PTS:   1

3. The perinatal nurse is assessing a woman who is at 35 weeks’ gestation in her first pregnancy. She is worried about having her baby “too soon,” and she is experiencing uterine contractions every 10 to 15 minutes. The fetal heart rate is 136 beats/minute. A vaginal examination performed by the health-care provider reveals no cervical changes since her last examination. Ultrasound examination reveals the presence of V-shaped cervical funneling. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

ANS:  D

Preterm labor is defined as regular uterine contractions and cervical changes before the end of the 37th week of gestation. Many patients present with preterm contractions but only those who demonstrate changes in the cervix are diagnosed with preterm labor. Because this woman has no demonstrated cervical changes, she does not have the diagnosis. Also reassuring is the infrequency of her contractions; a defining characteristic of preterm labor is persistent uterine contractions (4 every 20 minutes or 8 per hour). Another reassuring finding is the presence of V-shaped cervical funneling ; a change to U-shaped cervical funneling in a woman with a shortened cervix is associated with preterm labor in high-risk women with a prior spontaneous preterm birth. The woman does not require corticosteroids or magnesium sulfate or admission to the high-risk OB unit.

Cognitive Level: Analysis/Analyzing

Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity

Patient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance

Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation

Difficulty: Difficult

PTS:   1

4. The perinatal nurse is caring for a woman at 26 weeks’ gestation who has a history of hypertension that has been well controlled. Today she presents with a blood pressure of 156/102 mm Hg and she has 2+ protein on urine dipstick. Which initial action by the nurse is most appropriate?

ANS:  C

Preeclampsia can occur in a woman who has chronic hypertension. This woman has the characteristics of hypertension after a period of good control and proteinuria of at least 2+ on dipstick (100 mg/dL). The nurse needs to ensure protein levels are assessed in two samples at least 4 hours apart and ensure the woman has no signs of a urinary tract infection, as protein can occur in a sample of infected urine. The nurse should obtain a clean-catch urine sample to send to the laboratory for analysis. Asymptomatic UTI can occur in up to 11% of pregnant women, so assessing for signs and symptoms may not be accurate. The woman does not need admission to the high-risk OB unit, strict bedrest, or IV anti-hypertensives at this point.

Cognitive Level: Analysis/Analyzing

Content Area: Pediatrics/Maternity

Patient Needs: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment

Difficulty: Difficult

PTS:   1