A 29-week gravid patient is admitted to the labor and delivery unit with vaginal bleeding. To differentiate between placenta previa and abruptio placentae, the nurse should assess which of the following?

Quantity of vaginal bleeding

Presence of abdominal pain

Leopold's maneuver results.

Maternal blood pressure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Quantity of vaginal bleeding. While both placenta previa and abruptio placentae can cause vaginal bleeding, the amount alone does not differentiate between the two conditions. Placenta previa typically causes painless, bright red bleeding, whereas abruptio placentae often presents with concealed or variable bleeding, making quantity an unreliable distinguishing factor.

B. Presence of abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is a key differentiating factor. Placenta previa is characterized by painless vaginal bleeding, while abruptio placentae causes sudden, severe abdominal pain due to placental detachment and uterine muscle irritation. This makes the presence or absence of pain an important assessment finding.

C. Leopold's maneuver results. While Leopold’s maneuvers help determine fetal position and presentation, they do not provide definitive information about the location of the placenta or differentiate between placenta previa and abruptio placentae. Ultrasound is a more reliable diagnostic tool for this purpose.

D. Maternal blood pressure. Although abruptio placentae can lead to hypovolemic shock and blood pressure changes due to hemorrhage, maternal blood pressure alone is not a primary diagnostic criterion for differentiating between the two conditions. Other clinical findings such as pain and ultrasound results are more useful for diagnosis.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Increased urinary frequency and the baby "dropping" indicate lightening, which occurs in the weeks before labor begins. While this is a sign that labor is approaching, it does not confirm true labor.
B. True labor is characterized by contractions that progressively become stronger, closer together, and more regular, leading to cervical dilation and effacement. This distinguishes it from false labor, where contractions are irregular and do not cause cervical changes.
C. Passing thick pink mucus, known as the bloody show, is a sign that labor may begin soon, but it does not confirm that the woman is in active labor. Cervical changes must be assessed to determine true labor.
D. The rupture of membranes, or "water breaking," can occur before or during labor, but it does not necessarily indicate the onset of true labor. Cervical dilation and regular contractions are required to confirm active labor.

A. Chronic Hypertension B. This is a normal Blood Pressure C. Preeclampsia D. Pregnancy induced hypertension.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Chronic Hypertension. Chronic hypertension is diagnosed when a woman has hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) that was present before pregnancy or develops before 20 weeks gestation. Since this patient has a history of hypertension and is only 16 weeks pregnant, her condition is classified as chronic hypertension rather than pregnancy-related hypertension.

B. This is a normal Blood Pressure. A blood pressure of 169/94 mmHg is not normal. This reading indicates hypertension, which requires monitoring and possible medication adjustments to prevent complications such as preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction.

C. Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is diagnosed after 20 weeks of gestation and includes hypertension along with signs of organ dysfunction (e.g., proteinuria, liver abnormalities, or neurological symptoms). Since this patient is only 16 weeks pregnant and does not show other preeclampsia symptoms, this diagnosis is incorrect.

D. Pregnancy-induced hypertension. Pregnancy-induced hypertension, also known as gestational hypertension, develops after 20 weeks gestation in women with previously normal blood pressure. Because this patient has a prior history of hypertension and is only 16 weeks pregnant, her condition is classified as chronic hypertension, not pregnancy-induced hypertension.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A 29-week gravid patient is admitted to the labor and delivery unit with vaginal bleeding. To differentiate between placenta previa and abruptio placentae, the nurse should assess which of the following?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse recognizes that a woman is in true labor when she states…., and finds that her cervix has dilated and effaced on examination.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A woman comes in to her physician’s office at 16 weeks of pregnancy complaining of headache. On examination her Blood Pressure is 169/94. As the physician looks over her record he notices that she has a prior history of hypertension. He explains to her that she has

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse would include which of the following statements when describing the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes?

If the nurse suspects a patient has experienced anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy (amniotic fluid embolus), which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?

A client who is 32 weeks pregnant calls the clinic complaining of an increase in vaginal discharge, pelvic pressure, and low back and abdominal pain. Based on this information, what action will the nurse take?

A woman is in the second stage of labor and has a spinal block in place for pain management. The nurse obtains the woman's blood pressure and notes that it is 20% lower than the baseline level. Which action should the nurse take?

During augmentation of labor with intravenous oxytocin (Pitocin), a multiparous client becomes pale and diaphoretic and complains of severe lower abdominal pain with a tearing sensation. An abnormal FHR tracing is noted on the monitor. The nurse should suspect:

A primigravida who is 28 weeks pregnant visits the clinic fearing she is experiencing preeclampsia. Which of the following assessments would the nurse make to confirm or negate these thoughts? Select all that apply.