During a client’s labor the fetal monitor reveals a fetal heart pattern that signifies uteroplacental
insufficiency. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
Inserting a urine retention catheter
Administering oxygen by means of nasal cannula
Helping the client turn to the side-lying position
Encouraging the client to pant with her next contraction
A client in the thirty-eighth week of gestation exhibits a slight increase in blood pressure. The
primary healthcare provider advises her to remain in bed at home in a side-lying position. The
client asks why this is important. What is the nurse’s response regarding the advantage of this
position?
"It increases blood flow to the fetus."
"It decreases intra-abdominal pressure."
"It increases the mean arterial pressure."
"It prevents the development of thrombosis."
A client who has had a postpartum hemorrhage is to receive 1 unit of packed red blood cells
(RBCs). The nurse manager observes a staff nurse administering the packed RBCs without
wearing gloves. What does the nurse manager conclude?
The client does not have an infection.
The donor blood is free of bloodborne pathogens.
The nurse should have worn gloves for self-protection.
The nurse was skilled enough to prevent exposure to the blood.
The nurse is caring for a client in her third trimester who is scheduled for an amniocentesis.
What should the nurse do to prepare the client for this test?
Instruct her to void immediately before the test.
Tell her to assume the high Fowler position before the test.
Encourage her to drink three glasses of water before the test.
Advise her to take nothing by mouth for several hours before the test.
A client in the high-risk postpartum unit has had a precipitous labor and birth. Which maternal
complication should the nurse anticipate?
Hypertension
Hypoglycemia
Chilling and shivering
Bleeding and infection
The nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to the birthing unit with a diagnosis of abruptio
placentae. Which complication associated with a placental abruption should the nurse carefully
monitor this client for?
, Cerebral hemorrhage
Pulmonary edema
Impending seizures
Hypovolemic shock
The nurse is providing care for parents who have experienced a stillbirth. What is the most
appropriate intervention at this time?
Giving a detailed explanation of what may have caused the stillbirth
Providing the parents the opportunity to say goodbye to their newborn
Explaining that autopsy is not recommended in the setting of a stillbirth
Waiting to provide any information about follow-up care until the parents have had
an opportunity to adjust to the grief
A client is scheduled for a sonogram at 36 weeks’ gestation. Shortly before the test she tells the
nurse that she is experiencing severe abdominal pain. Assessment reveals heavy vaginal
bleeding, a drop in blood pressure, and an increased pulse rate. Which complication does the
nurse suspect?
Hydatidiform mole
Vena cava syndrome
Marginal placenta previa
Complete abruptio placentae
During a follow-up appointment, a client at 21 weeks’ gestation is diagnosed with hyperemesis
gravidarum. The client says, "Why is this happening to me? I don’t know whether I can go on
like this." What is the ideal response by the nurse?
"Are you saying that you want to schedule an abortion?"
"This must be physically and emotionally challenging for you."
"We’re doing the best we can here, so please be patient with us."
"There are dietary changes and medications available that can ease the nausea."
A client at 12 weeks’ gestation arrives in the prenatal clinic complaining of cramping and vaginal
spotting. A pelvic examination reveals that the cervix is closed. Which probable diagnosis should
the nurse expect?
Missed abortion
Inevitable abortion
Incomplete abortion
Threatened abortion
During their initial visit to the prenatal clinic, a couple asks the nurse whether the woman should
have an amniocentesis for genetic studies. Which factor indicates that an amniocentesis should
be performed?
Recent history of drug abuse
, Family history of genetic abnormalities
Maternal age older than 30 years at the time of the first pregnancy
Request by client to determine sex of fetus
The nurse applies fetal and uterine monitors to the abdomen of a client in active labor. When the
client has contractions, the nurse notes a 15 beats/min deceleration of the fetal heart rate below
the baseline lasting 15 seconds. What is the next nursing action?
Calling the primary healthcare provider
Changing the maternal position
Obtaining the maternal blood pressure
Preparing the environment for an immediate birth
The postpartum nurse has just received report on four clients. Which client should the nurse
evaluate first?
Client who vaginally delivered a 7-lb (3175 g) baby 1 hour ago
Client who vaginally delivered a 9-lb (4082 g) baby 1 hour ago
Client who vaginally delivered a preterm baby 4 hours ago
Client who had a planned cesarean delivery of an 8-lb (3629 g) baby 2 hours ago
A client in labor at 39 weeks’ gestation is told by the primary healthcare provider that she will
require a cesarean delivery. The nurse reviews the client’s prenatal history. What preexisting
condition is the most likely reason for the cesarean birth?
Gonorrhea
Chlamydia
Chronic hepatitis
Active genital herpes
A woman at 22 weeks’ gestation is admitted with heavy bleeding and severe abdominal
cramping. When told that no fetal heart sounds can be detected, the client says to the nurse, "We
wanted this baby so badly." How should the nurse respond?
"It must be difficult to lose this baby that was important to you both."
"This is nature’s way of dealing with babies that may have problems."
"A curettage will give you a new start. I’ll bet you’ll get pregnant again soon."
"You must be disappointed, but don’t feel guilty. These things sometimes happen."
A 24-year-old client is admitted at 40 weeks’ gestation. The cervix is dilated 5 cm and is 100%
effaced, and the presenting part is at station 0. The nurse assesses that the fetal heart tones are
just above the umbilicus. Which fetal presentation does the nurse document?
Face
Brow
Breech
Shoulder
insufficiency. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
Inserting a urine retention catheter
Administering oxygen by means of nasal cannula
Helping the client turn to the side-lying position
Encouraging the client to pant with her next contraction
A client in the thirty-eighth week of gestation exhibits a slight increase in blood pressure. The
primary healthcare provider advises her to remain in bed at home in a side-lying position. The
client asks why this is important. What is the nurse’s response regarding the advantage of this
position?
"It increases blood flow to the fetus."
"It decreases intra-abdominal pressure."
"It increases the mean arterial pressure."
"It prevents the development of thrombosis."
A client who has had a postpartum hemorrhage is to receive 1 unit of packed red blood cells
(RBCs). The nurse manager observes a staff nurse administering the packed RBCs without
wearing gloves. What does the nurse manager conclude?
The client does not have an infection.
The donor blood is free of bloodborne pathogens.
The nurse should have worn gloves for self-protection.
The nurse was skilled enough to prevent exposure to the blood.
The nurse is caring for a client in her third trimester who is scheduled for an amniocentesis.
What should the nurse do to prepare the client for this test?
Instruct her to void immediately before the test.
Tell her to assume the high Fowler position before the test.
Encourage her to drink three glasses of water before the test.
Advise her to take nothing by mouth for several hours before the test.
A client in the high-risk postpartum unit has had a precipitous labor and birth. Which maternal
complication should the nurse anticipate?
Hypertension
Hypoglycemia
Chilling and shivering
Bleeding and infection
The nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to the birthing unit with a diagnosis of abruptio
placentae. Which complication associated with a placental abruption should the nurse carefully
monitor this client for?
, Cerebral hemorrhage
Pulmonary edema
Impending seizures
Hypovolemic shock
The nurse is providing care for parents who have experienced a stillbirth. What is the most
appropriate intervention at this time?
Giving a detailed explanation of what may have caused the stillbirth
Providing the parents the opportunity to say goodbye to their newborn
Explaining that autopsy is not recommended in the setting of a stillbirth
Waiting to provide any information about follow-up care until the parents have had
an opportunity to adjust to the grief
A client is scheduled for a sonogram at 36 weeks’ gestation. Shortly before the test she tells the
nurse that she is experiencing severe abdominal pain. Assessment reveals heavy vaginal
bleeding, a drop in blood pressure, and an increased pulse rate. Which complication does the
nurse suspect?
Hydatidiform mole
Vena cava syndrome
Marginal placenta previa
Complete abruptio placentae
During a follow-up appointment, a client at 21 weeks’ gestation is diagnosed with hyperemesis
gravidarum. The client says, "Why is this happening to me? I don’t know whether I can go on
like this." What is the ideal response by the nurse?
"Are you saying that you want to schedule an abortion?"
"This must be physically and emotionally challenging for you."
"We’re doing the best we can here, so please be patient with us."
"There are dietary changes and medications available that can ease the nausea."
A client at 12 weeks’ gestation arrives in the prenatal clinic complaining of cramping and vaginal
spotting. A pelvic examination reveals that the cervix is closed. Which probable diagnosis should
the nurse expect?
Missed abortion
Inevitable abortion
Incomplete abortion
Threatened abortion
During their initial visit to the prenatal clinic, a couple asks the nurse whether the woman should
have an amniocentesis for genetic studies. Which factor indicates that an amniocentesis should
be performed?
Recent history of drug abuse
, Family history of genetic abnormalities
Maternal age older than 30 years at the time of the first pregnancy
Request by client to determine sex of fetus
The nurse applies fetal and uterine monitors to the abdomen of a client in active labor. When the
client has contractions, the nurse notes a 15 beats/min deceleration of the fetal heart rate below
the baseline lasting 15 seconds. What is the next nursing action?
Calling the primary healthcare provider
Changing the maternal position
Obtaining the maternal blood pressure
Preparing the environment for an immediate birth
The postpartum nurse has just received report on four clients. Which client should the nurse
evaluate first?
Client who vaginally delivered a 7-lb (3175 g) baby 1 hour ago
Client who vaginally delivered a 9-lb (4082 g) baby 1 hour ago
Client who vaginally delivered a preterm baby 4 hours ago
Client who had a planned cesarean delivery of an 8-lb (3629 g) baby 2 hours ago
A client in labor at 39 weeks’ gestation is told by the primary healthcare provider that she will
require a cesarean delivery. The nurse reviews the client’s prenatal history. What preexisting
condition is the most likely reason for the cesarean birth?
Gonorrhea
Chlamydia
Chronic hepatitis
Active genital herpes
A woman at 22 weeks’ gestation is admitted with heavy bleeding and severe abdominal
cramping. When told that no fetal heart sounds can be detected, the client says to the nurse, "We
wanted this baby so badly." How should the nurse respond?
"It must be difficult to lose this baby that was important to you both."
"This is nature’s way of dealing with babies that may have problems."
"A curettage will give you a new start. I’ll bet you’ll get pregnant again soon."
"You must be disappointed, but don’t feel guilty. These things sometimes happen."
A 24-year-old client is admitted at 40 weeks’ gestation. The cervix is dilated 5 cm and is 100%
effaced, and the presenting part is at station 0. The nurse assesses that the fetal heart tones are
just above the umbilicus. Which fetal presentation does the nurse document?
Face
Brow
Breech
Shoulder
