The obstetric nurse is preparing the client for an emergency cesarean birth, with no time to administer spinal anesthesia; general anesthesia will be used.
What is the greatest risk of administering general anesthesia to the client during postpartum?

Choice A rationale

The client at 6 weeks gestation exhibiting severe abdominal pain, hypotension (86/58 mm Hg), and tachycardia (132/min) suggests a potential ruptured ectopic pregnancy or other acute abdominal emergency requiring immediate intervention. Hypotension indicates inadequate tissue perfusion, and tachycardia is a compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output. Severe pain further indicates an acute process that necessitates prompt assessment and treatment to prevent further hemodynamic instability and potential life-threatening complications.

Choice B rationale

While a client with an ectopic pregnancy requires monitoring and care, the vital signs reported (blood pressure 128/84 mm Hg, pulse 88/min) are within normal limits. Normal blood pressure ranges are typically systolic 90-120 mm Hg and diastolic 60-80 mm Hg, and a normal pulse rate is generally 60-100 beats per minute. Although emotional distress from the diagnosis is important, the physiological parameters do not indicate an immediate critical threat compared to the client in Choice A.

Choice C rationale

A client at 9 weeks gestation who received methotrexate for an ectopic pregnancy and reports moderate pain and dizziness with stable vital signs (blood pressure 116/80 mm Hg, pulse 86/min) requires assessment for expected side effects of the medication or signs of treatment failure. Methotrexate can cause abdominal pain as it works to dissolve the pregnancy. While monitoring is necessary, the stable vital signs do not suggest an immediate life-threatening emergency compared to the client in Choice A.

Choice D rationale

A client at 8 weeks gestation with moderate vaginal bleeding, minimal abdominal pain, and stable vital signs (blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg, pulse 96/min) may be experiencing a threatened or inevitable miscarriage. While vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy warrants investigation and monitoring, the stable vital signs and minimal pain do not indicate an immediate critical emergency requiring prioritization over the client in Choice A who presents with signs of hemodynamic instability. .

Choice A rationale

While understanding methods of labor induction is important if the pregnancy progresses to 42 weeks, it is not the priority teaching at 31 weeks gestation. The immediate focus should be on recognizing potential complications that could arise before the scheduled induction.

Choice B rationale

The benefits of breastfeeding are important for all pregnant women but are not the priority teaching for a client at 31 weeks who is not yet in labor. Information about breastfeeding can be provided later in the pregnancy.

Choice C rationale

Teaching the signs of labor is important as the client approaches term, but at 31 weeks, the priority is to educate the client on recognizing potential warning signs that require immediate attention, such as decreased fetal movement.

Choice D rationale

Monitoring fetal movement is a crucial teaching point at 31 weeks gestation. A decrease in fetal movement can be an early indicator of fetal compromise and requires prompt evaluation. Instructing the client on how to perform kick counts and when to report changes is a priority for ensuring fetal well-being before the scheduled induction.