A nurse is caring for a client following an amniocentesis.
The nurse should observe the client for which of the following complications?

Choice A rationale

Mongolian spots are benign, flat bluish or bluish-gray birthmarks that commonly appear on the buttocks, lower back, or thighs of newborns, particularly those with darker skin tones, including African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. They are caused by the entrapment of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) deep within the dermis during fetal development. These spots typically fade spontaneously within a few years and are not indicative of any underlying medical condition or trauma.

Choice B rationale

Lanugo is fine, downy hair that covers the body of some newborns, especially preterm infants. It is usually shed within the last few weeks of gestation or shortly after birth and is unrelated to bruising or pigmented spots on the buttocks.

Choice C rationale

Nevus flammeus, also known as a port-wine stain, is a vascular malformation of the skin that appears as a flat, pink, red, or purple birthmark. It is caused by dilated capillaries and does not typically occur as bluish spots on the buttocks. Port-wine stains are usually permanent and may darken with age.

Choice D rationale

Vascular nevus, also known as a strawberry hemangioma, is a raised, red, bumpy birthmark composed of extra blood vessels. While it is a type of birthmark, it does not present as flat, bluish spots on the buttocks. Hemangiomas typically grow rapidly in the first few months of life and then gradually shrink over several years.

Choice A rationale

Hyperemesis gravidarum is severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, typically occurring in the first trimester. While amniocentesis can cause some discomfort, it is not a known risk factor for hyperemesis.

Choice B rationale

Proteinuria is the presence of protein in the urine, which can be a sign of preeclampsia, a condition that can occur later in pregnancy. Amniocentesis, usually performed in the second trimester, is not directly linked to causing proteinuria.

Choice C rationale

Amniocentesis is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a needle through the abdominal wall and uterus to withdraw amniotic fluid. This procedure carries a risk of bleeding or hemorrhage from the insertion site or within the uterus. Therefore, observing for signs of hemorrhage is a crucial nursing intervention post-amniocentesis.

Choice D rationale

Hypoxia is a condition of insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues. While complications of amniocentesis could indirectly lead to fetal hypoxia in rare cases (e.g., placental abruption), it is not a direct and common complication to observe for in the mother. Hemorrhage is a more immediate and direct risk for the mother. .