The nurse is taking history at an obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) clinic.
Which among the choices below would the nurse recognize as high-risk conditions that could have an adverse outcome on a pregnancy? Select all that apply.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Previous history of a normal delivery at 40 weeks gestation.
Diabetes.
Hypertension.
Correct Answer : A,B,D
Choice A rationale
Choice A rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus is a high-risk condition because it can be transmitted from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding. Without intervention, the risk of vertical transmission is significant. However, with antiretroviral therapy and proper management, the transmission rate can be reduced to less than 1 percent. It requires intensive monitoring of viral loads and CD4 counts throughout the pregnancy to ensure optimal outcomes.
Choice B rationale
A previous history of a normal delivery at 40 weeks gestation is considered a low-risk factor. It suggests that the mother's reproductive system is capable of carrying a fetus to full term and delivering without major complications. Past obstetric performance is a strong predictor of future outcomes. This history typically places the mother in a routine care category rather than a high-risk category, provided no new medical conditions have developed.
Choice C rationale
Diabetes, whether pregestational or gestational, is a high-risk condition that affects maternal and fetal health. Poorly controlled blood glucose levels increase the risk of congenital anomalies, macrosomia, and neonatal hypoglycemia. Normal fasting glucose should be less than 95 mg/dL. Management involves strict glycemic control through diet, exercise, or insulin. These patients require frequent fetal surveillance, such as non-stress tests and ultrasounds, to monitor for complications like polyhydramnios.
Choice D rationale
Hypertension is a major high-risk factor associated with preeclampsia, placental abruption, and intrauterine growth restriction. Chronic hypertension is defined as blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg before pregnancy or before 20 weeks gestation. It can lead to decreased placental perfusion, resulting in fetal hypoxia and low birth weight. Monitoring blood pressure, protein in the urine, and signs of end-organ damage is essential for the safety of both the mother and child.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Physiological development refers to the physical growth and biological functioning of the body’s systems. While a secure attachment can reduce stress hormones and indirectly support physical health, it is not the primary domain defined by the quality of the parent-infant association. Physiological needs like nutrition and warmth are essential for survival, but the specific emotional bond between a parent and child is the cornerstone for the infant's internal emotional and social framework.
Choice B rationale
Psychosocial development involves the integration of an individual's psychological processes with their social environment. Early parent-infant attachment is the critical foundation for this development, as it shapes how an infant learns to trust others, regulate emotions, and eventually form healthy relationships. A secure attachment provides a safe base from which the infant can explore the world, fostering a sense of self and the ability to interact effectively and empathetically with other people throughout life.
Choice C rationale
Sociocultural development focuses on how a person’s culture, social values, and community influence their growth. While attachment occurs within a cultural context, the initial parent-infant bond is a more localized and psychological phenomenon. Sociocultural factors are broader and encompass the wider societal influences that shape a child's beliefs and behaviors over time, whereas attachment is the specific, immediate emotional tie that serves as the primary driver for early internal psychological stability.
Choice D rationale
Biological development encompasses genetic inheritance and the maturation of physical structures. While the drive to attach is a biological instinct (as seen in evolutionary theory), the quality of the attachment itself is an experiential and psychological process. The attachment relationship influences how biological potential is expressed, but it is categorized primarily as a psychosocial milestone because it involves the intersection of the infant’s inner emotional world and their first social relationship.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Supine positioning is generally not recommended as a nonpharmacological pain intervention for premature infants. Instead, prone or side-lying positions, often with the use of nesting or boundaries, are preferred because they promote a sense of security and help the infant maintain a flexed, organized posture. Supine positioning can leave the infant feeling exposed and disorganized, which may increase physiological stress and exacerbate the perception of pain during or after painful clinical procedures.
Choice B rationale
Skin-to-skin contact, also known as Kangaroo Care, is a highly effective nonpharmacological intervention for pain management in neonates. Scientific studies show that direct contact with maternal or paternal skin stabilizes the infant's heart rate, improves oxygen saturation, and releases oxytocin, which has analgesic properties. This method provides sensory saturation that helps the infant process and recover from painful stimuli more efficiently than being left alone in an incubator or a traditional open crib.
Choice C rationale
White noise or low-frequency consistent sounds can act as a form of sensory buffering for premature infants. By providing a stable auditory environment, white noise can mask sudden, sharp hospital sounds that might otherwise startle or distress a vulnerable neonate. When used appropriately, it helps maintain a calm state, which lowers the baseline stress level and helps the infant maintain physiological stability during mildly painful or stressful interventions in the neonatal unit.
Choice D rationale
Nonnutritive sucking, such as using a pacifier, is a well-documented method for reducing pain and distress in newborns. The act of sucking stimulates orofacial mechanoreceptors, which triggers the release of endogenous opioids and serotonin in the brain. This creates a soothing effect and helps the infant remain organized. When combined with sucrose, nonnutritive sucking is one of the most effective ways to manage procedural pain during heel sticks or venipunctures in infants.
Choice E rationale
Containment, often achieved through swaddling or "facilitated tucking," involves holding the infant's extremities close to their body in a flexed position. This mimics the confined environment of the uterus and provides the infant with a sense of physical boundaries and security. Scientifically, containment helps prevent the disorganized motor activity and physiological exhaustion that often follow painful stimuli, allowing the premature infant to conserve energy and return to a stable homeostatic state more quickly.
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