Nursing Elites

1. When should a provider order a maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening for pregnant clients?

• A. A client who has mitral valve prolapse
• B. A client who has been exposed to AIDS
• C. All pregnant clients
• D. A client who has a history of preterm labor

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening is recommended for all pregnant clients to assess the risk of neural tube defects. It is a routine screening test used to detect increased levels of alpha-fetoprotein in maternal blood, which may indicate a higher risk for conditions such as neural tube defects in the developing fetus. Therefore, all pregnant clients, regardless of their medical history or risk factors, should undergo MSAFP screening as part of routine prenatal care. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the MSAFP screening is not specific to certain medical conditions or histories; it is a standard screening procedure for all pregnant individuals to evaluate neural tube defect risk in the fetus.

2. What is the most appropriate statement for a nurse to make to a client who has recently experienced a perinatal death?

• A. It must be a comfort to know you have another child.
• B. I'm sad for you.
• C. There is usually something wrong with the baby.
• D. You will always have an angel in heaven.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Option B, 'I'm sad for you,' is the most appropriate response for the nurse to make to the client who has experienced a perinatal death. This statement conveys empathy and compassion, acknowledging the client's grief and validating their emotions. It opens the door for the client to express their feelings and facilitates further communication and support from the nurse. Choices A, C, and D are not appropriate in this context. Choice A may come across as dismissive of the client's grief by redirecting the focus to another child. Choice C suggests blame or fault, which is not helpful or accurate in most cases of perinatal death. Choice D, while well-intentioned, may not be comforting to all clients and could impose a specific belief system on the client's experience.

3. A client in active labor reports back pain while being examined by a nurse who finds her to be 8 cm dilated, 100% effaced, -2 station, and in the occiput posterior position. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Perform effleurage during contractions.
• B. Place the client in lithotomy position.
• C. Assist the client to the hands and knees position.
• D. Apply a scalp electrode to the fetus.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The nurse should assist the client into the hands and knees position during contractions to help relieve her back pain and facilitate the rotation of the fetus from the posterior to an anterior occiput position. This position can aid in optimal fetal positioning for delivery. Choice A, performing effleurage, is a massage technique that may provide comfort but does not address the fetal position. Placing the client in lithotomy position (Choice B) may not be ideal for a client experiencing back pain due to the occiput posterior position. Applying a scalp electrode to the fetus (Choice D) is not indicated solely for addressing the client's back pain.

4. A healthcare provider is assisting with the care of a newborn immediately following birth. Which of the following nursing interventions is the highest priority?

• A. Initiating breastfeeding
• B. Performing the initial bath
• C. Giving a vitamin K injection
• D. Covering the newborn's head with a cap

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Covering the newborn's head with a cap is the highest priority immediately following birth to prevent heat loss. Newborns are at risk of hypothermia due to their immature thermoregulation, making it crucial to maintain their body temperature. By covering the newborn's head with a cap, heat loss through the head is minimized, helping to keep the baby warm and stable in the immediate post-birth period. Initiating breastfeeding, performing the initial bath, and giving a vitamin K injection are important interventions but are not as high a priority as ensuring the newborn's thermal stability.

5. A client at 39 weeks of gestation in a prenatal clinic asks about signs preceding labor. Which of the following should the nurse identify as a sign that precedes labor?

• A. Decreased vaginal discharge
• B. A surge of energy
• C. Urinary retention
• D. Weight gain of 0.5 to 1.5 kg

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A surge of energy is a common sign that precedes labor. This burst of energy, often referred to as the 'nesting instinct,' is believed to occur as the body prepares for labor, prompting the individual to undertake tasks to prepare for the arrival of the baby. Decreased vaginal discharge is not a typical sign preceding labor. Urinary retention is not a sign that precedes labor and may indicate another issue. Weight gain of 0.5 to 1.5 kg is not a specific sign of impending labor.

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