A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and at risk for placental abruption. Does the nurse recognize that which of the following is the most common risk factor for a placental abruption?
Maternal hypertension.
Maternal cocaine use.
Maternal cigarette smoking.
Maternal battering.
The Correct Answer is A

The correct answer is choice A, Maternal hypertension.
Choice A rationale:
Maternal hypertension is widely recognized as the most common risk factor for placental abruption. High blood pressure can cause the placenta to detach from the uterine wall, leading to abruption. In summary, while all the listed factors can contribute to the risk of placental abruption, maternal hypertension stands out as the most common cause, supported by multiple health sources. It’s important for nurses to recognize and manage hypertension in pregnant clients to minimize the risk of this serious complication.
Choice B rationale:
While maternal cocaine use is a significant risk factor for placental abruption due to its vasoconstrictive effects, which can compromise the placental blood flow, it is not as common as maternal hypertension.
Choice C rationale:
Maternal cigarette smoking is also a risk factor for placental abruption. Smoking can lead to a variety of complications in pregnancy, including placental problems, but again, it is less common than hypertension as a cause for abruption.
Choice D rationale:
Maternal battering can lead to trauma which may result in placental abruption. However, it is not considered the most common risk factor when compared to maternal hypertension.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Stimulate the infant to cry. While stimulating the infant to cry is a common practice to assess the newborn's respiratory function, it is not the first action the nurse should perform in this situation. The newborn may cry spontaneously or may require other interventions, such as clearing the respiratory tract, before crying.
Choice B rationale:
Clear the respiratory tract. Clearing the respiratory tract is the priority action in this scenario. It ensures that the airway is open and allows the infant to breathe effectively. This is crucial because newborns are at higher risk of respiratory distress after birth, and prompt action can prevent complications.
Choice C rationale:
Dry the infant off and cover the head. Drying the infant off and covering the head are important steps to prevent heat loss and maintain the newborn's body temperature. However, these actions can be delayed briefly until the respiratory tract is cleared, as the immediate focus should be on ensuring the infant's ability to breathe.
Choice D rationale:
Clamp the umbilical cord. Clamping the umbilical cord is a standard procedure after birth to prevent bleeding and infection. However, it is not the priority in this situation. The first step should be to ensure the newborn's airway is clear and they can breathe adequately.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Fetal head compression is unlikely to cause variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate. During contractions and labor, the fetal head may experience pressure, but this usually leads to early decelerations, not variable decelerations. Early decelerations are considered benign and are caused by the head's pressure stimulating the vagus nerve, resulting in a temporary decrease in heart rate.
Choice B rationale:
Umbilical cord compression is a known cause of variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate. When the umbilical cord is compressed, it can temporarily disrupt blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus, leading to decelerations. Variable decelerations often appear as abrupt, sharp drops in the fetal heart rate and are typically characterized by their unpredictable
nature.
Choice C rationale:
Maternal opioid administration is not a direct cause of variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate. While opioids can cross the placenta and may affect the fetus, they are more likely to cause other issues, such as respiratory depression in the newborn, rather than variable decelerations.
Choice D rationale:
Uteroplacental insufficiency is not the primary factor causing variable decelerations. Uteroplacental insufficiency refers to an inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to the placenta, which c
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