A nurse is assessing a pregnant client's medical history.

Which factor increases the client's risk of developing gestational diabetes?

Having a previous baby with low birth weight

Being of Caucasian origin

No family history of diabetes

No history of endocrine disorders

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

The correct answer is choice D.

No history of endocrine disorders. This factor increases the client’s risk of developing gestational diabetes because endocrine disorders such as thyroid disease or polycystic ovary syndrome can affect insulin resistance and glucose metabolism.

Choice A is wrong because having a previous baby with low birth weight is not a risk factor for gestational diabetes. In fact, having a previous baby with high birth weight (> 9 pounds) is a risk factor.

Choice B is wrong because being of Caucasian origin is not a risk factor for gestational diabetes. In fact, being of non-Caucasian origin such as African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander is a risk factor.

Choice C is wrong because having no family history of diabetes is not a risk factor for gestational diabetes. In fact, having a family history of diabetes (especially type 2 diabetes) in a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) is a risk factor.

Some other risk factors for gestational diabetes include being older than 25 years, being overweight or obese, having prediabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, having a history of gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, having hypertension or preeclampsia, or having polycystic ovary syndrome.

Normal ranges for fasting plasma glucose are 60 to 99 mg/dL for nonpregnant women and 70 to 95 mg/dL for pregnant women. Normal ranges for oral glucose tolerance test are less than 140 mg/dL at 1 hour and less than 120 mg/dL at 2 hours for nonpregnant women and less than 180 mg/dL at 1 hour and less than 155 mg/dL at 2 hours for pregnant women.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

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

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A. Higher insulin resistance.According to a systematic review of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Africa, African-Caribbean women have higher insulin resistance than other ethnic groups, which increases their risk of developing GDM.

Insulin resistance is a condition where the body does not respond well to the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.

Choice B is wrong because lower birth weight is not associated with GDM in African-Caribbean women.In fact, some studies have found that GDM increases the risk of macrosomia (large for gestational age infants) and higher mean birth weight.

Choice C is wrong because earlier onset of diabetes is not a characteristic of African-Caribbean women with GDM.

GDM is usually diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, regardless of ethnicity.However, women with GDM have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Choice D is wrong because faster resolution of diabetes is not a characteristic of African-Caribbean women with GDM.Most women with GDM revert to normal glucose metabolism after delivery, but some may have persistent glucose intolerance or diabetes.The risk of developing type 2 diabetes after GDM is also higher for African-Caribbean women than other ethnic groups.

A. One hour B. Two hours C. Three hours D. Four hours

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A. One hour.The nurse should check the newborn’s blood glucose level within one hour after birth because infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at risk of hypoglycemia due to hyperinsulinemia.Hypoglycemia can cause neurologic damage or death if left untreated.

Choice B is wrong because two hours is too long to wait for checking the blood glucose level of a newborn at risk of hypoglycemia.

Choice C is wrong because three hours is too long to wait for checking the blood glucose level of a newborn at risk of hypoglycemia.

Choice D is wrong because four hours is too long to wait for checking the blood glucose level of a newborn at risk of hypoglycemia.

Normal blood glucose levels for newborns are between 47 and 70 mg/dL.Mild hypoglycemia is defined as less than 47 mg/dL and severe hypoglycemia is defined as less than 36 mg/dL.

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 nurse is assessing a pregnant client's medical history. Which factor increases the client's risk of developing gestational diabetes?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes and is of African-Caribbean origin. The nurse should recognize that the woman's ethnicity is associated with which of the following characteristics?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a newborn whose mother has gestational diabetes for signs of hypoglycemia. The nurse should check the newborn's blood glucose level within how many hours after birth?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes and is in labor. The nurse should monitor the woman for which of the following complications that can result from uncontrolled blood sugar levels?

A nurse is providing discharge education to a pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes and delivered a healthy baby. The nurse should inform the woman that she has an increased risk of developing which of the following conditions in the future?

A nurse is preparing to administer intravenous glucose to a newborn whose mother has gestational diabetes and who has hypoglycemia. The nurse should recognize that this intervention is necessary to prevent which of the following complications?

A nurse is conducting a prenatal class for women who have gestational diabetes. The nurse should inform the women that having gestational diabetes increases their risk of having which of the following complications during pregnancy?

A nurse is evaluating the blood glucose levels of a pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes after a meal. The nurse notes that the woman has a blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is administering insulin to a pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes and is in labor. The nurse should monitor the woman's blood glucose levels every how often during labor?

A nurse is caring for a pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes and is in labor. The nurse should monitor the woman’s blood glucose levels every how often during labor?

A nurse is caring for a pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes and reports excessive sweating. The nurse should recognize that this symptom is most likely caused by which of the following factors?

A nurse is assessing a pregnant client's medical history.

Which factor increases the client's risk of developing gestational diabetes?