Question 1

The nurse caring for a pregnant woman who is receiving an intravenous infusion with magnesium sulfate will:

Accepted Answer

A)   Count respirations and report a rate of less than 12 breaths per minute.
B)   Count respirations and report a rate of more than 20 breaths per minute.
C)   Check blood pressure and report a rate of less than 100/60.
D)   Monitor urinary output and report a rate of less than 100 ml per hour. A

Question 2

The patient who is 28 weeks pregnant presents with consistent hypertension. The home health nurse would give priority to the need for:

Accepted Answer

A)   Activity restriction
B)   Balanced nutrition
C)   Increased fluid intake to ensure adequate hydration
D)   Instruction about the effect of diuretics A

Question 3

The nurse cautions that the consumption of as few as ________ alcoholic drink(s) during pregnancy can lead to the loss of fetal brain cells.

Accepted Answer

2
Explanation: Studies have shown that even as few as two alcoholic drinks consumed during pregnancy can cause loss of fetal brain cells. A drink is defined as 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz. of liquor.

Question 4

The nurse would include in a teaching plan for the pregnant patient who has iron deficiency anemia and who has been placed on iron supplement that: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Citrus fruits enhance absorption of iron.
B)   Bran products support iron deficiency.
C)   Milk will disguise the taste of the iron.
D)   The iron therapy will continue for about 3 months.
E)   Tea should be avoided while taking iron.

Question 5

A patient who is 30 weeks pregnant delivers a stillborn child in the emergency room. The ER nurse should offer: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Privacy
B)   An opportunity to hold the infant
C)   Materials about support groups
D)   A memento (footprint or lock of hair) 
E)   An opportunity to grieveF)  None of the above

Question 6

The patient with gestational hypertension has all the signs below. The nurse immediately reports:

Accepted Answer

A)   Diarrhea
B)   Decreased urine output
C)   Blurred vision
D)   Backache

Question 7

A woman who is 9 weeks pregnant is experiencing heavy bleeding and cramping. She reports passing some tissue. Cervical dilation is noted on examination. This woman most likely had:

Accepted Answer

A)   An inevitable abortion
B)   An incomplete abortion
C)   A complete abortion
D)   A missed abortion

Question 8

The nurse explains that pregnancy affects glucose metabolism because:

Accepted Answer

A)   Placental hormones increase the resistance of cells to insulin
B)   Insulin cells cannot meet the body's demands as the woman's weight increases
C)   There is a decreased production of insulin during pregnancy
D)   The speed of insulin breakdown is decreased during pregnancy

Question 9

A primigravida in her first trimester is Rh-negative. To prevent anti-Rh antibodies from forming, this woman would receive:

Accepted Answer

A)   Rh immune globulin during labor
B)   Intrauterine transfusions with O-negative blood
C)   Rh immune globulin at 28 weeks and within 72 hours after the birth of an Rh-positive infant
D)   Rh immune globulin now and again in the last trimester

Question 10

The nurse educates prenatal patients about the threat of TORCH infections. These infections include: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Toxoplasmosis
B)   Toxemia
C)   Cytomegalovirus
D)   Rubella
E)   Herpes simplex

Question 11

When the nurse asks a patient about drug use during a prenatal history, she might begin the questioning with:

Accepted Answer

A)   "Do you smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs?"
B)   "Do you ever use prescription or street drugs?"
C)   "What over-the-counter and prescription drugs have you taken in the past 3 months?"
D)   "We need to know if you take drugs so we can help your baby."

Question 12

A woman who is 8 weeks pregnant becomes concerned when she has light vaginal bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain. An ectopic pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound. The statement that indicates that the woman understands the explanation of an ectopic pregnancy is:

Accepted Answer

A)   The chorionic villi develop vesicles within the uterus.
B)   The placenta develops in the lower part of the uterus.
C)   The fetus dies in the uterus during the first half of the pregnancy.
D)   The embryo is implanted in the fallopian tube.

Question 13

A woman seeking prenatal care relates a history of macrosomic infants, two stillbirths, and polyhydramnios with each pregnancy. The nurse recognizes that these factors are highly suggestive of:

Accepted Answer

A)   Toxoplasmosis
B)   Abruptio placentae
C)   Hydatidiform mole
D)   Diabetes mellitus

Question 14

The nurse teaches a woman who is 8 weeks pregnant about how rubella can affect the developing fetus. The nurse realizes the woman understands the information when she says that rubella during pregnancy can result in:

Accepted Answer

A)   Facial abnormalities
B)   Mental retardation
C)   Liver failure
D)   Limb deformities

Question 15

The nurse would suspect pyelonephritis when a pregnant woman reports:

Accepted Answer

A)   Frequency and urgency of urination
B)   Nausea and weight loss
C)   Burning sensation when voiding
D)   Tenderness in the flank area

Question 16

The drug the nurse plans to have available for immediate IV administration whenever magnesium sulfate is administered to a maternity patient is:

Accepted Answer

A)   Ergonovine maleate (Ergotrate) 
B)   Oxytocin
C)   Calcium gluconate
D)   Hydralazine (Apresoline)

Question 17

An ultrasound on a woman who is 32 weeks pregnant reveals the placenta implanted over the entire cervical os. The nurse understands that this condition is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)   Low-lying placenta
B)   Marginal placenta previa
C)   Partial placenta previa
D)   Total placenta previa

Question 18

The nurse would suspect abruptio placentae when the pregnant woman presents with:

Accepted Answer

A)   Painless vaginal bleeding
B)   Uterine irritability with contractions
C)   Vaginal bleeding and back pain
D)   Premature rupture of membranes

Question 19

The nurse assesses a pregnant woman for pregnancy-induced hypertension. The first sign of fluid retention suggestive of this complication is:

Accepted Answer

A)   Abdominal enlargement
B)   Facial swelling
C)   Sudden weight gain
D)   Swelling of the feet and ankles

Question 20

The nurse explains that the objective of magnesium sulfate therapy for the patient with preeclampsia is to:

Accepted Answer

A)   Prevent convulsions
B)   Promote diaphoresis
C)   Increase reflex irritability
D)   Act as a saline cathartic

Exam 5: Nursing Care of Women With Complications During Pregnancy