A nurse is caring for a client who has a suspected ectopic pregnancy at 8 weeks of gestation. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to identify as consistent with the diagnosis?

Choice A reason:

Dyspnea: Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is a serious adverse effect that should be reported immediately. Terbutaline can cause pulmonary edema, a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs, leading to severe breathing difficulties. This side effect is critical and requires prompt medical attention to prevent further complications.

Choice B reason:

Headaches: While headaches are a common side effect of terbutaline, they are generally not considered severe enough to require immediate reporting unless they are persistent or unusually intense. Headaches can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief and do not typically indicate a serious problem.

Choice C reason:

Nervousness: Nervousness is another common side effect of terbutaline. It is usually mild and does not require immediate medical intervention. However, if the nervousness is severe or accompanied by other symptoms, it should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Choice D reason:

Tremors: Tremors are a known side effect of terbutaline and are usually not severe. They occur due to the medication’s action on the nervous system. While they can be bothersome, they are not typically dangerous and do not require urgent reporting unless they are severe or persistent.

Choice A Reason:

A rapid decline in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels is not typically associated with a hydatidiform mole. In fact, hCG levels are usually elevated in cases of hydatidiform mole due to the abnormal growth of trophoblastic tissue. Elevated hCG levels can lead to symptoms such as severe nausea and vomiting, which are more indicative of this condition.

Choice B Reason:

An irregular fetal heart rate is not a common finding in hydatidiform mole cases. In a complete molar pregnancy, there is no viable fetus, and therefore, no fetal heart rate can be detected. In partial molar pregnancies, there may be some fetal tissue, but it is typically not viable and does not develop a regular heart rate.

Choice C Reason:

Excessive uterine enlargement is a hallmark sign of a hydatidiform mole. This condition causes the uterus to grow more rapidly than it would in a normal pregnancy due to the abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic tissue. This rapid growth can lead to a uterus that is significantly larger than expected for the gestational age.

Choice D Reason:

Profuse, clear vaginal discharge is not specifically associated with hydatidiform mole. While vaginal discharge can increase during pregnancy, the discharge associated with a molar pregnancy is typically dark brown or red due to bleeding from the abnormal tissue. Clear discharge is more commonly associated with normal pregnancy changes or other conditions.