The primipara at 39 weeks' gestation states to the nurse, "I can breathe easier now." What is the nurse's best response?
a. "You labor will start any day now since the baby has dropped."
b. "That process is called lightening. Do you have to urinate more frequently?"
c. "Contact your health care provider when your contractions are every 5 minutes for 1 hour."
d. "You will likely not feel you baby's movements as much now, so do not be concerned."
ANS: B
As the fetus descends toward the pelvic inlet (dropping), the woman notices that she breathes more easily because upward pressure on her diaphragm is reduced. However, increased pressure on her bladder causes her to urinate more frequently. Pressure of the fetal head in the pelvis also may cause leg cramps and edema. Lightening (descent of the fetus toward the pelvic inlet before labor) is most noticeable in primiparas and occurs about 2 to 3 weeks before the natural onset of labor. Instructions for labor, although correct, do not address the patient's statement of being able to breathe easier. Fetal movement continues throughout the final weeks of gestation. A decrease in fetal movement is a concerning sign and the health care provider must be notified.
You might also like to view...
The false statement about older adults is
1. there are more than 60 causes associated with dementia. 2. dementia may be reversible if the cause is discovered and treated early. 3. with normal aging, delirium and lapses of memory commonly occur. 4. Alzheimer's disease may be reversible if the cause is discovered and treated early.
The nurse planning discharge teaching for a 71-year-old female patient with ulcerative colitis knows that an assessment related to the family will need to be done
What assessment finding related to the family will have the greatest impact on the patient's rehabilitation after discharge? A) The family's ability to take care of the patient's special diet needs B) The family's expectation that the patient will resume responsibilities and role-related activities C) Emotional support from the family D) The family's ability to understand the ups and downs of the illness
The informatics nurse reads an article about the international standards for health information exchanges. In which way will this standardization enhance patient care?
A) Allows the reuse of information for multiple purposes B) Supports adherence to the diagnostic-related groupings C) Improves job satisfaction for nurses planning patient care D) Reduces the cost associated with duplicating diagnostic tests
The mother of an HIV-positive infant who is 2 months old questions the nurse about which childhood immunizations her child will be able to receive
Which immunizations should an HIV-positive child be able to receive according to the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation for immunizing infants who are HIV positive? Select all that apply. a. Hepatitis B b. DTaP c. MMR d. IPV e. HIB