A nurse is caring for a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and has suspected placenta previa. For which of the following findings should the nurse monitor the client?
Abdominal pain with minimal red vaginal bleeding.
A large amount of bright red vaginal bleeding without pain.
Severe abdominal pain with increasing fundal height.
Intermittent abdominal pain following the passage of bloody mucus.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Abdominal pain with minimal red vaginal bleeding may not be as concerning as other options. While it could be a sign of placenta previa, it is not as specific or significant as the finding in Choice B.
Choice B rationale:
A large amount of bright red vaginal bleeding without pain is a significant finding that is highly suggestive of placenta previa. Placenta previa occurs when the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, and vaginal bleeding is a common symptom. The bright red colour indicates active bleeding, and the absence of pain is noteworthy as placenta previa bleeding is typically painless.
Choice C rationale:
Severe abdominal pain with increasing fundal height is not a typical sign of placenta previa. While abdominal pain can be associated with various pregnancy complications, it is not a specific finding for this condition.
Choice D rationale:
Intermittent abdominal pain following the passage of bloody mucus could be related to other issues, such as preterm labor or cervical changes. While bleeding may be present in placenta previa, the pain and passage of mucus are not characteristic features of this condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
This statement is incorrect because Rho(D) immune globulin does not destroy Rh antibodies in a newborn who is Rh-positive. Instead, it acts to prevent the development of Rh antibodies in the mother.
Choice B rationale:
This statement is also incorrect. Rho(D) immune globulin does not destroy Rh antibodies in a woman who is Rh-negative. It is given to Rh-negative women to prevent them from forming Rh antibodies in response to Rh-positive fetal blood during pregnancy.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct choice. Rho(D) immune globulin is given to Rh-negative women to prevent the formation of Rh antibodies. If an Rh-negative woman is exposed to Rh-positive blood (usually during childbirth), her immune system may recognize the Rh antigen as foreign and start producing Rh antibodies. These antibodies could potentially cross the placenta during a subsequent pregnancy and attack the red blood cells of an Rh-positive fetus, causing hemolytic disease in the newborn. Rho(D) immune globulin helps prevent this sensitization process.
Choice D rationale:
This statement is incorrect. Rho(D) immune globulin does not prevent the formation of Rh antibodies in a newborn who is Rh-positive. Its main purpose is to protect Rh-negative women from forming antibodies that could harm future Rh-positive pregnancies.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice D rationale:
The nurse should state, "The purpose of this medication is to boost fetal lung maturity.”. The rationale behind this choice is that betamethasone is a corticosteroid medication commonly administered to women at risk of preterm delivery between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. Its primary goal is to accelerate fetal lung maturation by promoting the production of surfactant, a substance that coats the lungs and prevents their collapse. By enhancing lung development, the medication helps reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and other respiratory complications that premature infants might face. It does not directly impact fetal heart rate (Choice A), halt cervical dilation (Choice B), or stop preterm labor contractions (Choice C).
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should not state, "The purpose of this medication is to increase the fetal heart rate.”. Betamethasone does not affect the fetal heart rate, as it is primarily used to enhance lung maturity, as mentioned earlier. The incorrect statement may lead to confusion and misunderstanding of the medication's intended purpose.
Choice B rationale:
The nurse should not state, "The purpose of this medication is to halt cervical dilation.”. Betamethasone does not stop or halt cervical dilation. Its main action is on the fetal lungs to promote surfactant production. Cervical dilation is a natural process that occurs during labor and is not influenced by this medication.
Choice C rationale:
The nurse should not state, "The purpose of this medication is to stop preterm labor contractions.”. Betamethasone is not used to stop or prevent preterm labor contractions directly. Instead, its focus is on improving fetal lung maturity to enhance the baby's respiratory function once born prematurely.
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