The nurse is assessing a patient who has severe preeclampsia. The assessment finding that should be reported to the physician is:

A. No action is necessary since a decrease in the woman's blood pressure is expected. While a drop in blood pressure is a common side effect of a spinal block, a 20% decrease is significant and can compromise placental perfusion, leading to fetal distress. Intervention is necessary to restore circulation.

B. Decrease her intravenous (IV) rate to a keep vein-open rate. This is incorrect because IV fluids help counteract hypotension. Instead of decreasing the IV rate, the nurse may need to increase fluid administration to improve blood pressure and maintain perfusion.

C. Encourage her to empty her bladder. A full bladder can affect labor progression but does not directly cause or correct hypotension. The priority in this scenario is restoring blood pressure to ensure adequate fetal oxygenation.

D. Turn the woman to the left lateral position or place a pillow under her hip. This is the most appropriate intervention. A left lateral position or elevating her right hip helps relieve aortocaval compression, improving blood flow to the uterus and stabilizing blood pressure. Additional interventions, such as IV fluid boluses or vasopressors (e.g., ephedrine), may be needed if hypotension persists.

A. 2+ Deep Tendon Reflexes. A 2+ deep tendon reflex is considered normal and does not indicate worsening preeclampsia. Severe preeclampsia is often associated with hyperreflexia, typically 3+ or 4+, which can signal worsening central nervous system involvement and an increased risk for seizures.

B. Platelets of 20,000. A platelet count of 20,000 is dangerously low and suggests the development of HELLP syndrome, a severe complication of preeclampsia that includes hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. This condition increases the risk of spontaneous bleeding and requires immediate medical intervention.

C. Urine output of 75 ml per hour. A urine output of 75 mL per hour is adequate and does not indicate worsening kidney function. In severe preeclampsia, oliguria (urine output less than 30 mL per hour) is a more concerning sign, as it suggests impaired renal perfusion and possible acute kidney injury.

D. 1+ Proteinuria. While proteinuria is a key feature of preeclampsia, a 1+ reading is mild and not necessarily indicative of worsening disease. Severe preeclampsia is typically associated with proteinuria of 3+ or higher, along with other symptoms such as hypertension, headache, and visual disturbances.