A pregnant, homeless woman who has received no prenatal care presents to the clinic in her third trimester because she is having vaginal bleeding, but reports that she is not in pain. Ultrasound reveals a placenta previa. Which action should the nurse implement?

A. Ask questions in a vague, nonspecific format: Vague questions won't elicit clear answers.

B. Share personal values to put the client at ease: While building rapport is important, sharing personal values might not be necessary.

C. Get the most difficult questions over with first: This can make the client defensive and less likely to be honest.

D. Begin with less sensitive questions: Starting with general questions about lifestyle habits and then gradually transitioning to more specific questions about alcohol and substance use can create a more comfortable environment for open communication

A. Contact social services for a temporary shelter. While contacting social services is important for the overall care of a homeless pregnant woman, it is not the immediate priority in the presence of placenta previa and vaginal bleeding.

B. Obtain a hemoglobin and hematocrit level. Assessing hemoglobin and hematocrit levels is important to evaluate the extent of blood loss and anemia, but the priority is to ensure the woman’s and fetus’s immediate safety due to placenta previa.

C. Have the client transported to the hospital. This is the correct action. Placenta previa can cause significant bleeding and requires immediate medical attention, including potential delivery. Transporting the client to the hospital ensures she receives the necessary urgent care.

D. Schedule weekly perinatal appointments. Weekly perinatal appointments are important for ongoing care, but in the context of active bleeding and placenta previa, immediate hospital care is necessary first.