A nurse is caring for a client who is suspected to have an ectopic pregnancy at 8 weeks of gestation. What symptoms should the nurse expect to observe that are consistent with this diagnosis?

Unilateral, cramp-like abdominal pain.

Severe nausea and vomiting.

Uterine enlargement greater than expected for gestational age.

Large amount of vaginal bleeding.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale

An ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus, often presents with unilateral, cramp-like abdominal pain. This is because as the fertilized egg grows in an area where it cannot survive, it can cause irritation and bleeding, leading to pain. This pain is often one-sided or unilateral and can vary from mild to severe. It’s one of the key symptoms that can suggest an ectopic pregnancy in the early weeks of gestation.

Choice B rationale

Severe nausea and vomiting are not typically the primary symptoms associated with an ectopic pregnancy. While nausea can be a symptom of early pregnancy, severe nausea and vomiting alone without other symptoms would not necessarily indicate an ectopic pregnancy.

Choice C rationale

Uterine enlargement greater than expected for gestational age is not a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. In fact, because the pregnancy is not in the uterus, the size of the uterus may not correlate with the expected size at the given gestational age.

Choice D rationale

While vaginal bleeding can occur in an ectopic pregnancy, it is not typically a large amount. The bleeding is often lighter than normal menstrual bleeding and may be associated with a change in color of the vaginal discharge.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is a common complication from an epidural block16. This occurs because the medication used in the epidural can block sympathetic nerve fibers, which can cause blood vessels to dilate and lead to a drop in blood pressure16.

Choice B rationale

Vomiting is not typically a direct complication of an epidural block16. Nausea and vomiting during labor can have many causes, including the physical process of labor, pain, and medications.

Choice C rationale

Tachycardia, or a fast heart rate, is not typically a complication of an epidural block16. In fact, some of the medications used in an epidural can actually cause a slower heart rate.

Choice D rationale

While severe respiratory depression can occur with an epidural, it is extremely rare16. More commonly, an epidural can cause a feeling of breathlessness or difficulty taking a deep breath, but it should not cause significant respiratory depression.

A. Ask the client if she has considered harming her newborn. B. Reinforce postpartum and newborn care discharge teaching. C. Assist the family to identify prior use of positive coping skills in family crises. D. Anticipate a prescription by the provider for an antidepressant.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

If a client reports feeling down and sad, having no energy, and wanting to cry, the nurse’s priority action should be to ask the client if she has considered harming her newborn. This is because these symptoms may indicate postpartum depression, a serious condition that can lead to harm to both the mother and the baby if left untreated.

Choice B rationale

While reinforcing postpartum and newborn care discharge teaching is important, it is not the priority action in this situation. The client’s emotional health needs to be addressed first.

Choice C rationale

Assisting the family to identify prior use of positive coping skills in family crises can be helpful, but it is not the priority action in this situation. The client’s immediate emotional health needs to be addressed first.

Choice D rationale

Anticipating a prescription by the provider for an antidepressant may be part of the treatment plan for this client, but it is not the priority action. The nurse first needs to assess the safety of the client and her newborn.

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A nurse is caring for a client who is suspected to have an ectopic pregnancy at 8 weeks of gestation. What symptoms should the nurse expect to observe that are consistent with this diagnosis?

Choice A rationale

Choice B rationale

Choice C rationale

Choice D rationale

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client in labor who has had epidural anesthesia for pain relief. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a complication from the epidural block?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Choice B rationale

Choice C rationale

Choice D rationale

A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who is 3 weeks postpartum following the birth of a healthy newborn. The client reports feeling down and sad, having no energy, and wanting to cry. What should be the nurse’s priority action?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Choice B rationale

Choice C rationale

Choice D rationale

A nurse is attending to a newborn 2 hours after birth. Which four observations should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?

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A nurse is caring for a preterm newborn who is in an incubator to maintain a neutral thermal environment. The father of the newborn asks the nurse why this is necessary. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

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