A nurse is educating a group of pregnant women about neural tube defects.
Which of the following conditions should the nurse mention as an example of a neural tube defect?

Potential Condition:

• B. Type 1 diabetes mellitus

The client’s symptoms of fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness, and headache, along with a high blood glucose level and HbA1C, suggest that they are experiencing hyperglycemia, a condition common in individuals with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Actions to Take:

• B. Teach the client about the signs of hyperglycemia.
• D. Assess the client’s feet for sensation.

Teaching the client about the signs of hyperglycemia will help them recognize when their blood sugar is high and take appropriate action. Assessing the client’s feet for sensation is also important as diabetes can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which can result in a loss of sensation in the feet.

Parameters to Monitor:

• B. Blood pressure
• D. Fingerstick blood glucose

Monitoring the client’s blood pressure is important as hypertension can be a complication of diabetes. Regularly checking the client’s fingerstick blood glucose levels will help ensure that their diabetes is being effectively managed.

Choice A rationale

Explaining the procedure for an upper gastrointestinal series is important for a client diagnosed with gastrointestinal bleeding. However, it is not the first action a nurse should take. The nurse’s initial focus should be on assessing the client’s condition and stabilizing vital signs.

Choice B rationale

Administering pain medication is important for a client’s comfort, but it is not the first action a nurse should take. The nurse’s initial focus should be on assessing the client’s condition and stabilizing vital signs.

Choice C rationale

Assessing orthostatic blood pressure is the first action a nurse should take when caring for a client diagnosed with gastrointestinal bleeding. Orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when standing up from a sitting or lying position) can be a sign of significant blood loss. This assessment helps determine the severity of the bleeding and guides further interventions.

Choice D rationale

Testing the client’s emesis for blood is an important part of diagnosing and managing gastrointestinal bleeding. However, it is not the first action a nurse should take. The nurse’s initial focus should be on assessing the client’s condition and stabilizing vital signs.