MURRAY 7TH ED: CH10 COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
1. A patient with preeclampsia is being treated with bed rest and intravenous
magnesium sulfate. The drug classification of this medication is a
a. diuretic.
b. tocolytic.
c. anticonvulsant.
d. antihypertensive.
ANS: C
Anticonvulsant drugs act by blocking neuromuscular transmission and depress the
central
nervous system to control seizure activity. Diuresis is a therapeutic response to
magnesium
sulfate. A tocolytic drug slows the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions but is
not
used for that purpose in this scenario. Decreased peripheral blood pressure is a
therapeutic
response (side effect) of the anticonvulsant magnesium sulfate.
2. Which clinical intervention is the only known cure for preeclampsia?
a. Magnesium sulfate
b. Delivery of the fetus
,c. Antihypertensive medications
d. Administration of aspirin (ASA) every day of the pregnancy
ANS: B
Delivery of the infant is the only known intervention to halt the progression of
preeclampsia.
Magnesium sulfate is one of the medications used to treat but not cure preeclampsia.
Antihypertensive medications are used to lower the dangerously elevated blood
pressures in
preeclampsia and eclampsia. Low doses of aspirin (81 mg/day) have been administered
to
women at high risk for developing preeclampsia. This intervention appears to have little
benefit.
3. The clinic nurse is performing a prenatal assessment on a pregnant patient at
risk for
preeclampsia. Which clinical sign would not present as a symptom of
preeclampsia?
a. Edema
b. Proteinuria
c. Glucosuria
d. Hypertension
ANS: C
Glucose into the urine is not one of the three classic symptoms of preeclampsia. The
first sign
,noted by the pregnant patient is rapid weight gain and edema of the hands and face.
Proteinuria usually develops later than the edema and hypertension. The first indication
of
preeclampsia is usually an increase in the maternal blood pressure.
4. Which intrapartal assessment should be avoided when caring for a patient with
HELLP syndrome?
a. Abdominal palpation
b. Venous sample of blood
c. Checking deep tendon reflexes
d. Auscultation of the heart and lungs
ANS: A
Palpation of the abdomen and liver could result in a sudden increase in intraabdominal
pressure, leading to rupture of the subcapsular hematoma. Assessment of heart and
lungs is
performed on every patient. Checking reflexes is not contraindicated. Venous blood is
checked frequently to observe for thrombocytopenia.
5. A nurse is explaining to the nursing students working on the antepartum unit
how to assess for
edema. Which edema assessment score indicates edema of the lower extremities,
face, hands,
and sacral area?
a. +1
b. +2
, c. +3
d. +4
ANS: C
Edema of the extremities, face, and sacral area is classified as +3 edema. Edema
classified as
+1 indicates minimal edema of the lower extremities. Marked edema of the lower
extremities
is +2 edema. Generalized massive edema (+4) includes the accumulation of fluid in the
peritoneal cavity.
6. Which maternal condition always necessitates delivery by cesarean birth?
a. Partial abruptio placentae
b. Total placenta previa
c. Ectopic pregnancy
d. Eclampsia
ANS: B
In total placenta previa, the placenta completely covers the cervical os. The fetus would
die if
a vaginal birth occurred. If the patient has stable vital signs and the fetus is alive, a
vaginal
birth can be attempted. If the fetus has already expired, a vaginal birth is preferred. The
most
common ectopic pregnancy is a tubal pregnancy, which is usually detected and treated
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
1. A patient with preeclampsia is being treated with bed rest and intravenous
magnesium sulfate. The drug classification of this medication is a
a. diuretic.
b. tocolytic.
c. anticonvulsant.
d. antihypertensive.
ANS: C
Anticonvulsant drugs act by blocking neuromuscular transmission and depress the
central
nervous system to control seizure activity. Diuresis is a therapeutic response to
magnesium
sulfate. A tocolytic drug slows the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions but is
not
used for that purpose in this scenario. Decreased peripheral blood pressure is a
therapeutic
response (side effect) of the anticonvulsant magnesium sulfate.
2. Which clinical intervention is the only known cure for preeclampsia?
a. Magnesium sulfate
b. Delivery of the fetus
,c. Antihypertensive medications
d. Administration of aspirin (ASA) every day of the pregnancy
ANS: B
Delivery of the infant is the only known intervention to halt the progression of
preeclampsia.
Magnesium sulfate is one of the medications used to treat but not cure preeclampsia.
Antihypertensive medications are used to lower the dangerously elevated blood
pressures in
preeclampsia and eclampsia. Low doses of aspirin (81 mg/day) have been administered
to
women at high risk for developing preeclampsia. This intervention appears to have little
benefit.
3. The clinic nurse is performing a prenatal assessment on a pregnant patient at
risk for
preeclampsia. Which clinical sign would not present as a symptom of
preeclampsia?
a. Edema
b. Proteinuria
c. Glucosuria
d. Hypertension
ANS: C
Glucose into the urine is not one of the three classic symptoms of preeclampsia. The
first sign
,noted by the pregnant patient is rapid weight gain and edema of the hands and face.
Proteinuria usually develops later than the edema and hypertension. The first indication
of
preeclampsia is usually an increase in the maternal blood pressure.
4. Which intrapartal assessment should be avoided when caring for a patient with
HELLP syndrome?
a. Abdominal palpation
b. Venous sample of blood
c. Checking deep tendon reflexes
d. Auscultation of the heart and lungs
ANS: A
Palpation of the abdomen and liver could result in a sudden increase in intraabdominal
pressure, leading to rupture of the subcapsular hematoma. Assessment of heart and
lungs is
performed on every patient. Checking reflexes is not contraindicated. Venous blood is
checked frequently to observe for thrombocytopenia.
5. A nurse is explaining to the nursing students working on the antepartum unit
how to assess for
edema. Which edema assessment score indicates edema of the lower extremities,
face, hands,
and sacral area?
a. +1
b. +2
, c. +3
d. +4
ANS: C
Edema of the extremities, face, and sacral area is classified as +3 edema. Edema
classified as
+1 indicates minimal edema of the lower extremities. Marked edema of the lower
extremities
is +2 edema. Generalized massive edema (+4) includes the accumulation of fluid in the
peritoneal cavity.
6. Which maternal condition always necessitates delivery by cesarean birth?
a. Partial abruptio placentae
b. Total placenta previa
c. Ectopic pregnancy
d. Eclampsia
ANS: B
In total placenta previa, the placenta completely covers the cervical os. The fetus would
die if
a vaginal birth occurred. If the patient has stable vital signs and the fetus is alive, a
vaginal
birth can be attempted. If the fetus has already expired, a vaginal birth is preferred. The
most
common ectopic pregnancy is a tubal pregnancy, which is usually detected and treated
