A client at 18 weeks' gestation thinks she might have been exposed to a toxin at work that could affect fetal development and asks what organs might be affected at this point in the pregnancy. How should the nurse respond to this client?
1. "The brain is developing now and could be affected."
2. "Because you are in the second trimester, there is no danger."
3. "It's best to not worry about possible problems with your baby."
4. "The internal organs like the heart and lungs could be impacted."
1
Explanation:
1. Maximum brain growth and myelination are occurring at this point in fetal development.
2. Although the greatest danger from teratogens is during the embryonic stage (the first 8 weeks of pregnancy), the fetus at 20 weeks is still vulnerable to exposure to teratogens.
3. Avoid telling clients not to worry. Doing so indicates to the client that you do not care about their concerns and will end effective communication.
4. The heart, lungs, and other internal organs form during the embryonic state, or the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. During their formation is when they are most likely to be affected by a teratogen.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is caring for a patient who has celiac disease with malabsorption. The nurse should monitor for which sign of possible vitamin deficiency?
a. Bleeding b. Sore tongue c. Hypercalcemia d. Hypokalemia
A nurse is preparing a presentation for a local women's group about heart disease and women. Which of the following would the nurse expect to address when discussing measures to promote health?
A) Women have similar symptoms as men for a heart attack. B) Heart disease is no longer viewed as a "man's disease.". C) Women experiencing a heart attack are at greater risk for dying. D) Heart attacks in women are more easily diagnosed.
Which client diagnosis should a nurse associate with a decrease in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)?
A. Alzheimer's disease B. Schizophrenia C. Panic disorder D. Depression
Which of the following statements best defines crisis intervention?
A) An active but temporary entry into the life situation of an individual, a family, or a group during a period of stress B) A group intervention in which confrontation is used to promote change in the client C) An intervention in which a group of psychiatric professionals meet to determine which intervention might be most effective for a disturbed client D) A family meeting in which the treatment team assists with confrontation of the client's behavior