A nurse is caring for a client at 37 weeks gestation with new reports of headache, edema of the face and right upper quadrant abdominal pain.
Which of the following diagnostic tests would the nurse anticipate the provider ordering?
CBC, CMP, Urinalysis, Clotting studies.
HgA1C.
Abdominal ultrasound.
CBC, Amylase, Lipase, Bile acids.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
CBC (Complete Blood Count), CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel), Urinalysis, and Clotting studies are crucial tests in this scenario. Headache, edema of the face, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain in a pregnant client at 37 weeks gestation are concerning for preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet count). CBC can help detect hemolysis and thrombocytopenia, CMP can evaluate liver function, Urinalysis can check for proteinuria indicative of preeclampsia, and Clotting studies assess coagulation status, which is vital for detecting any disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) complications.
Choice B rationale
HgA1C is a test used to monitor long-term glucose control in clients with diabetes. Although it provides valuable information regarding glucose levels over the past 2-3 months, it is not relevant in the immediate assessment of acute symptoms like headache, edema, and abdominal pain in the context of preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome.
Choice C rationale
Abdominal ultrasound can be used to assess fetal well-being and placental function, but it does not directly address the immediate concerns associated with preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. It can be a supportive diagnostic tool but not the primary assessment in this acute scenario.
Choice D rationale
CBC, Amylase, Lipase, and Bile acids are tests typically used to evaluate for pancreatitis or liver disease. While CBC is relevant, the inclusion of Amylase, Lipase, and Bile acids does not directly correlate with the specific symptoms of headache, edema, and right upper quadrant pain associated with preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. Thus, this combination is not the most appropriate set of diagnostic tests for the client's condition. .
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Pruritus of the palms of the hands is a hallmark symptom of cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver disorder causing bile acid accumulation.
Choice B rationale
Back pain and pelvic pressure are common pregnancy symptoms but are not specific to cholestasis.
Choice C rationale
Nausea and vomiting can be due to many conditions in pregnancy and are not indicative of cholestasis.
Choice D rationale
Headaches and blurred vision are associated with preeclampsia, not cholestasis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Placenta previa involves painless vaginal bleeding due to the placenta covering the cervical opening. It does not typically cause significant abdominal pain or the hemodynamic instability described in the scenario.
Choice B rationale
Abruptio placentae is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, causing severe abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and can lead to shock, consistent with the assessment findings.
Choice C rationale
Uterine rupture, often a complication in women with a previous cesarean section, involves the tearing of the uterine wall, causing sudden, severe abdominal pain and bleeding. However, it is less common than placental abruption.
Choice D rationale
Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but life-threatening condition where amniotic fluid enters the mother's bloodstream, causing cardiovascular collapse and severe respiratory distress, which is less consistent with the described findings.
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