A nurse is reviewing laboratory findings for three clients.
Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse expect for a client who has cirrhosis?

Choice A rationale:

Blood pressure is a crucial parameter to monitor in a pregnant woman. A significant increase in blood pressure could indicate a condition called preeclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure and damage to another organ system, often the liver and kidneys. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious — even fatal — complications for both mother and baby.

Choice B rationale:

While the respiratory rate is an important vital sign, it does not directly indicate a prenatal complication in this context. Normal respiratory rates for an adult range from 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Changes could indicate a respiratory problem but not specifically a prenatal complication.

Choice C rationale:

Gravida/parity is a standard way to denote a woman's reproductive history but does not indicate a prenatal complication. Gravida refers to the number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of the outcome, while parity refers to the number of pregnancies carried past 20 weeks, regardless of whether they were born alive or stillborn.

Choice D rationale:

Decreased fetal activity can be a sign of distress in the fetus. It could indicate complications such as poor oxygenation or other conditions that could affect the health of the baby. It's important for pregnant women to monitor their baby's movements daily after 28 weeks.

Choice E rationale:

A severe headache unrelieved by acetaminophen in a pregnant woman could be a sign of preeclampsia, especially when accompanied by other symptoms such as high blood pressure and changes in vision. This should be evaluated immediately.

Choice F rationale:

Urine ketones are usually checked in pregnant women who have symptoms of a condition called ketoacidosis, which is often seen in women with gestational diabetes. However, this condition is not indicated in this scenario.

Choice G rationale:

Protein in the urine is another potential sign of preeclampsia. It's caused by kidney problems resulting from the high blood pressure. In normal conditions, protein should not be present in urine or should be very low.

Choice A rationale:

Positioning the client supine with legs elevated is not an appropriate intervention for a client with ascites due to cirrhosis. It may help with other conditions, but in ascites, it can increase pressure on the abdomen and worsen fluid accumulation.

Choice C rationale:

Restricting the client's sodium intake to 3g per day is a valid intervention for a client with ascites due to cirrhosis. However, measuring the abdominal girth daily is a more immediate and actionable intervention to monitor the progression of ascites and adjust treatment accordingly.

Choice D rationale:

Keeping the client's daily protein intake below 0.8 g/kg is not the standard practice for managing ascites in cirrhosis. In fact, adequate protein intake is important to prevent malnutrition in these clients, so protein restriction is not recommended unless specifically indicated by a healthcare provider.