Nursing Elites

1. A newborn assessment reveals spina bifida occulta. Which maternal factor should the nurse identify as having the greatest impact on the development of this newborn complication?

• A. Tobacco use.
• B. Folic acid deficiency.
• C. Short interval between pregnancies.
• D. Preeclampsia.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy is strongly associated with neural tube defects like spina bifida occulta. Adequate folic acid intake before and during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of such complications. Tobacco use (Choice A) is linked to other adverse outcomes but not specifically spina bifida occulta. Short intervals between pregnancies (Choice C) can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight but are not directly linked to spina bifida occulta. Preeclampsia (Choice D) is a hypertensive disorder that poses risks to both the mother and baby but is not the primary factor contributing to spina bifida occulta development.

2. A charge nurse is teaching a group of staff nurses about fetal monitoring during labor. Which of the following findings should the charge nurse instruct the staff members to report to the provider?

• A. Contraction durations of 95 to 100 seconds
• B. Contraction frequency of 2 to 3 minutes apart
• C. Absent early deceleration of fetal heart rate
• D. Fetal heart rate is 140/min

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Contraction durations of 95 to 100 seconds are prolonged, indicating uterine hyperstimulation, which can lead to fetal distress and requires immediate intervention. Reporting this finding to the provider is crucial to ensure timely management and prevent adverse outcomes. Choice B, contraction frequency of 2 to 3 minutes apart, is within the normal range and does not raise immediate concerns. Choice C, absent early deceleration of fetal heart rate, is a reassuring finding suggesting fetal well-being. Choice D, a fetal heart rate of 140/min, is also normal for a fetus and does not typically require immediate reporting unless it deviates significantly from the baseline or is accompanied by other concerning signs.

3. A client who has mild preeclampsia and will be caring for herself at home during the last 2 months of pregnancy is receiving teaching from a healthcare provider. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. “I will count baby’s kicks every other day.”
• B. “I will alternate the arm used to check my blood pressure.”
• C. “I will consume 50 grams of protein daily.”
• D. ---

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Alternating arms for blood pressure checks ensures more accurate readings and helps monitor preeclampsia. Option A, counting baby's kicks every other day, is not specific to managing preeclampsia. Option C, consuming 50 grams of protein daily, is important for a healthy diet during pregnancy but does not directly relate to preeclampsia management.

4. What is a procedure for using ultrasonic sound waves to create a picture of an embryo or fetus?

• A. Phenotype
• B. Sonogram
• C. Genotype
• D. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) assay

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A sonogram, also known as an ultrasound, is a procedure that utilizes sound waves to generate images of a developing embryo or fetus. This imaging technique is commonly used in prenatal care to monitor fetal development and identify any potential abnormalities. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because a phenotype refers to an individual's observable traits resulting from genetic and environmental influences, a genotype is an individual's genetic makeup, and an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) assay is a blood test used to screen for certain birth defects.

5. A healthcare provider is reviewing laboratory results for a client who is pregnant. The healthcare provider should expect which of the following laboratory values to increase?

• A. RBC count
• B. Bilirubin
• C. Fasting blood glucose
• D. BUN

Correct answer: A

Rationale: During pregnancy, the body increases the production of red blood cells (RBCs) to meet the increased oxygen demands. This physiological response is known as physiological anemia of pregnancy. Therefore, the RBC count is expected to increase during pregnancy. Bilirubin levels may remain relatively stable, fasting blood glucose levels might fluctuate due to gestational diabetes, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels are not typically affected by pregnancy, making them less likely to increase in this scenario. The correct answer is A because an increase in RBC count is a normal physiological adaptation to pregnancy to support the increased oxygen needs of the mother and the growing fetus. Bilirubin, a product of red blood cell breakdown, is more related to liver function and not expected to increase during pregnancy. Fasting blood glucose levels may vary due to gestational diabetes, but it is not a consistent finding in all pregnant individuals. BUN levels are related to kidney function and are not typically impacted by pregnancy, making it an unlikely choice for an expected increase in laboratory values during pregnancy.

Similar Questions