A nurse is caring for a 30-year-old pregnant patient who has tested positive for syphilis during her 18 week prenatal visit.
Which nursing intervention is the priority in the management of this patient?
Schedule follow-up serologic testing for syphilis titers.
Ensure the patient and partner takes penicillin therapy as prescribed.
Inform the patient about the risk of congenital syphilis and the potential consequences.
Educate the patient on safe sexual practices to prevent further STIs.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
While follow-up serologic testing is an important part of managing syphilis, it is not the initial priority. The most immediate and critical intervention is to treat the infection to prevent vertical transmission to the fetus, which can lead to severe congenital syphilis. Without immediate treatment, the fetus is at high risk for serious complications.
Choice B rationale
The priority in managing a pregnant patient with syphilis is to ensure she and her partner receive appropriate treatment with penicillin. This is the only therapy proven effective in treating maternal infection and preventing congenital syphilis. The prompt treatment of both partners is crucial to prevent reinfection and protect the fetus from serious complications like stillbirth or congenital abnormalities.
Choice C rationale
While patient education is crucial, informing the patient about the risks of congenital syphilis is a secondary step to the primary intervention of administering treatment. The immediate priority is to initiate the therapy that will mitigate the risk and protect the fetus from harm. Without treatment, knowledge of the risk is insufficient to prevent the adverse outcomes.
Choice D rationale
Educating the patient on safe sexual practices is a vital component of comprehensive care to prevent future STIs. However, in the context of an active infection during pregnancy, the immediate priority is to treat the existing condition with penicillin to prevent congenital syphilis, which poses the greatest immediate threat to the fetus.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While the type of teratogen and the mother's age can influence the outcome, the most critical factor is the timing of exposure. Different teratogens can have varying effects, and maternal age can impact a woman's health, but these are secondary to the primary factor of developmental stage.
Choice B rationale
The duration of pregnancy and the mother's health condition can affect the overall health of the pregnancy, but they are not the primary determinants of teratogenic susceptibility. The timing of exposure is the key factor because specific organ systems are most vulnerable to damage during their periods of rapid differentiation and formation, which occurs at specific times during gestation.
Choice C rationale
The amount of teratogen exposure, or dosage, is a significant factor in the degree of harm, as is the father’s genetic history, which can contribute to congenital anomalies. However, the most crucial variable for determining which organ systems are affected is when the exposure occurred in relation to the embryo's or fetus's developmental stage.
Choice D rationale
The timing of exposure is the most critical factor because different organs and systems are forming at different times during gestation. The period of major organogenesis (approximately weeks 3 to 8) is the most susceptible to major malformations because the cells are rapidly dividing and differentiating. Exposure during this time can lead to significant structural defects in the developing embryo.
Correct Answer is ["B","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While calcium and protein are both vital nutrients during pregnancy, there is no direct scientific link that calcium aids in protein absorption. Protein is broken down into amino acids in the gastrointestinal tract and then absorbed into the bloodstream. Calcium is absorbed through a separate, active transport process that is dependent on vitamin D.
Choice B rationale
Vegan clients can indeed obtain adequate protein from a variety of plant-based sources. Nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, and soy milk are all rich in protein and, when consumed in combination, provide a complete amino acid profile necessary for the synthesis of new proteins for fetal development and maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.
Choice C rationale
Protein is crucial for the formation of new cells and tissues, including muscles, blood, and organs. While protein deficiency can impair bone growth due to its role in the formation of the organic matrix, it is calcium and phosphorus that are the primary mineral components of bones and teeth, providing their rigid structure and strength.
Choice D rationale
Neural tube defects are primarily linked to a deficiency in folic acid (vitamin B9), which is essential for the proper development of the neural tube early in pregnancy. While protein is critical for overall fetal growth and development, its deficiency is not the primary cause of neural tube defects.
Choice E rationale
Protein is a fundamental macronutrient essential for the basic growth and development of the fetus. It provides the necessary amino acids for the synthesis of all fetal tissues, including organs, muscles, blood, and the central nervous system. It also supports the growth of maternal tissues, such as the placenta and uterus.
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