A nurse is formulating a care plan for a patient who is 10 weeks pregnant and reports abdominal pain and moderate vaginal bleeding.
The preliminary diagnosis is an inevitable abortion.
Which nursing interventions should be included in the care plan?

Choice A rationale

Maintain the patient on bed rest. This is a common nursing intervention for a patient who is experiencing an inevitable abortion. Bed rest can help reduce the risk of further complications, such as heavy bleeding. It can also provide the patient with a chance to rest and recover physically and emotionally.

Choice B rationale

Offer the option to view products of conception. This intervention may not be appropriate for all patients. While some patients may find it helpful to view the products of conception, others may find it distressing. It’s important to discuss this option with the patient and respect her wishes.

Choice C rationale

Administer oxygen via a nasal cannula. This intervention may not be necessary for all patients experiencing an inevitable abortion. While oxygen therapy can be used to treat hypoxia in patients with heavy bleeding, it’s not typically required unless the patient shows signs of hypoxia.

Choice D rationale

Instruct the patient to increase potassium-rich foods in the diet. This intervention is not typically part of the care plan for a patient experiencing an inevitable abortion. While a balanced diet is important for overall health, there’s no specific need to increase potassium-rich foods in the diet in this situation.

Choice A rationale

Bleeding or spotting can accompany implantation. This is a common occurrence and does not necessarily indicate a problem with the pregnancy. It happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Some women may mistake this bleeding for a light period, but it’s a sign of pregnancy.

Choice B rationale

Fertilization typically takes place in the outer third of the fallopian tube. After ovulation, the egg travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If sperm are present in the fallopian tube at this time, fertilization can occur. This is a normal part of the reproductive process.

Choice C rationale

Sperm can remain viable in the woman’s reproductive tract for 2 to 3 days. This means that intercourse does not have to coincide exactly with ovulation in order to achieve pregnancy. The sperm can survive long enough to fertilize the egg when it is released.

Choice D rationale

The statement “Implantation occurs between 2 and 3 weeks after conception” is incorrect and requires intervention by the nurse. Implantation actually occurs about 6-10 days after ovulation, which is less than 2 weeks after conception.