A nurse in the intensive care unit is planning care for a client who has a closed head injury. The client's intracranial pressure (ICP) is being monitored via an intraventricular catheter. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Rationale for correct choices

• Spontaneous abortion: The client is presenting at 10 weeks gestation with moderate, bright red vaginal bleeding and a history of risk factors including type 1 diabetes mellitus and recurrent infections. The open cervix on examination indicates that the pregnancy may not be viable and suggests impending or ongoing miscarriage.

• Cervical dilation: Cervical dilation is a key clinical sign of spontaneous abortion, as it indicates that the body is preparing to expel the pregnancy. The presence of an open cervix in conjunction with vaginal bleeding and cramping directly supports the risk for miscarriage. Monitoring cervical changes helps the healthcare team assess the progression and urgency of intervention.

Rationale for incorrect choices

• Molar pregnancy: Molar pregnancy typically presents with markedly elevated hCG levels, larger-than-expected uterine size, and absence of a viable embryo. Although the client has an elevated hCG, the level is not excessively high, and there is no indication of vesicular tissue or characteristic ultrasound findings, making molar pregnancy unlikely.

• Ectopic pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancy generally presents with unilateral abdominal pain, shoulder pain, and sometimes hypotension or signs of internal bleeding. The client’s bleeding is bright red, moderate, and accompanied by cervical dilation, which is not typical for an ectopic pregnancy. No abdominal mass or unilateral tenderness is reported, reducing the likelihood of this diagnosis.

• Lower abdominal cramping: While cramping is a symptom associated with miscarriage, it alone is not sufficient evidence to determine the risk for spontaneous abortion. Cervical dilation is a more definitive clinical sign indicating that the miscarriage may be occurring or imminent.

• hCG levels: The client’s hCG level of 30,000 IU/L is within the expected range for 10 weeks gestation and does not specifically indicate miscarriage. Unlike cervical dilation, hCG levels alone cannot confirm the risk for spontaneous abortion.

Rationale:

A. Provide information about stress management.: Stress is a major trigger for vasospastic episodes in Raynaud’s disease because it increases sympathetic nervous system activity, causing further arterial constriction. Stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, biofeedback, or relaxation exercises helps reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.

B. Administer epinephrine for acute episodes.: Epinephrine causes vasoconstriction, which would worsen Raynaud’s symptoms by further reducing blood flow to the extremities. During an acute episode, warming the affected areas and avoiding additional vasoconstrictors is essential. Epinephrine is not indicated as a treatment and can intensify ischemic discomfort

C. Maintain a cool temperature in the client's room.: Cold temperatures are one of the most common triggers for vasospasm in Raynaud’s disease. A cool environment increase the likelihood of an episode by promoting peripheral vasoconstriction. The nurse should provide a warm environment and encourage protective clothing to maintain circulation.

D. Give a glucocorticoid steroid twice per day.: Steroids are not a standard treatment for Raynaud’s because the condition is related to vasospasm rather than inflammatory processes. Routine steroid use would expose the client to unnecessary adverse effects without addressing the underlying problem. Management strategies focus instead on warmth, lifestyle modification, and vasodilator medications when needed.