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.
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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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Perineal pad clots are not the greatest risk for this patient. While it’s important to monitor the amount and type of lochia, the nurse’s notes indicate that the patient has a moderate amount of lochia rubra, which is normal within the first few days postpartum. Large clots could indicate a problem such as a retained placental fragment, but this is not mentioned in
the scenario.
Choice B rationale:
Pelvic pain is a common complaint after childbirth due to uterine contractions, especially during breastfeeding, and usually resolves within a few days. The patient’s pain is rated as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10, which is considered moderate. While it’s important to manage the patient’s pain, it’s not the greatest risk in this scenario.
Choice C rationale:
A boggy uterus poses the greatest risk for this patient. A boggy or soft uterus indicates uterine atony, which is a lack of normal muscle tone that can lead to excessive bleeding. This is a serious condition that can lead to postpartum hemorrhage if not treated promptly. The nurse’s notes indicate that the patient’s fundus is boggy and located above the umbilicus, which is a concern. The fundus should be firm and gradually descend into the pelvis within the first few days postpartum.
Choice D rationale:
Breast engorgement is a common discomfort that occurs when the breasts are overly full with milk. It typically occurs within the first week postpartum as the milk supply increases. The nurse’s notes indicate that the patient’s breasts are soft, warm, and tender to touch, which is normal. While it’s important to manage the patient’s comfort, breast
engorgement is not the greatest risk in this scenario.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Perinatal asphyxia refers to a lack of oxygen flow to the fetus around the time of birth. This can lead to multiple organ dysfunction and neurological issues, but it is not a common cause of a newborn being small for gestational age.
Choice B rationale
Preterm delivery can result in a newborn being small for their gestational age simply because they have not had the full amount of time to grow in the womb. However, preterm babies are typically compared to other preterm babies when assessing size, not to full-term babies.
Choice C rationale
Fetal hyperinsulinemia, or an excess of insulin in the fetus, can lead to excessive growth and a larger-than-average baby size (macrosomia), not a smaller size.
Choice D rationale
Placental insufficiency, where the placenta does not work as well as it should, can limit the amount of oxygen and nutrients the fetus receives. This can restrict the baby’s growth, leading to a small size for gestational age.
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