A nurse is providing education to a client during a prenatal visit. Which of the following medications should the nurse include as contraindicated during pregnancy?

Rationale:

A. Measure the client's apical pulse while another nurse measures their radial pulse: Assessing for a pulse deficit involves comparing the apical and radial pulses simultaneously. A difference between the two indicates that not all heartbeats are reaching peripheral circulation, often seen in arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation.

B. After inflation, deflate a blood pressure cuff on the client's arm while palpating their brachial pulse: This method is used for measuring blood pressure, not for identifying pulse deficits. It does not provide information on the difference between central and peripheral pulse rates.

C. Compare the client's carotid pulse while resting to their carotid pulse after standing for 1 min: This assesses for orthostatic changes, not pulse deficit. Pulse deficit requires comparison of apical and radial pulses, not positional changes in carotid pulse strength or rate.

D. Assess both of the client's radial pulses at the same time and compare the quality of pulsations: Comparing bilateral radial pulses helps detect differences in circulation or vessel obstruction but does not assess for a pulse deficit, which specifically involves apical-radial pulse comparison.

Rationale:

A. Use a powered lift to transfer the client: When a client is unable to assist and weighs significantly over standard lifting limits, a powered mechanical lift is the safest and most appropriate method. It reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injury to staff and ensures safe, controlled client movement.

B. Wrap their arms under the client's axilla to transfer the client: This manual lifting method can cause harm to both the nurse and the client. It increases the risk of shoulder injury for the client and back strain for the nurse, especially when the client is immobile and heavy.

C. Use a gait belt to transfer the client: Gait belts are used for clients who can bear some weight and assist in the transfer. Since this client cannot assist, a gait belt is insufficient and may result in injury or unsafe movement.

D. Use a sliding board to transfer the client: Sliding boards are typically used when clients have upper body strength and can assist in shifting their weight. For a fully dependent client of this size, it is not a safe or effective method without mechanical assistance.