Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a term newborn who is 24 hours old. Which of the following results require intervention by the nurse?

• A. WBC count 10,000/mm3
• B. Platelets 180,000/mm3
• C. Hemoglobin 20g/dL
• D. Glucose 20 mg/dL

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A glucose level of 20 mg/dL is critically low for a newborn and requires immediate intervention. Hypoglycemia in a newborn can lead to serious complications such as neurologic deficits. The normal range for glucose levels in a newborn is typically 40-60 mg/dL. Choices A, B, and C represent normal or acceptable values for a term newborn and do not require immediate intervention. A WBC count of 10,000/mm3, platelets of 180,000/mm3, and hemoglobin of 20g/dL are all within normal ranges for a term newborn and do not raise immediate concerns.

2. A woman at 26 weeks of gestation is being assessed to determine whether she is experiencing preterm labor. Which finding indicates that preterm labor is occurring?

• A. Estriol is not found in maternal saliva.
• B. Irregular, mild uterine contractions occur every 12 to 15 minutes.
• C. Fetal fibronectin is present in vaginal secretions.
• D. The cervix is effacing and dilated to 2 cm.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Cervical changes such as effacement and dilation to 2 cm are strong indicators of imminent preterm labor. These changes, combined with regular contractions, can signify labor at any gestation. Estriol can be detected in maternal plasma as early as 9 weeks of gestation. Levels of salivary estriol have been linked to preterm birth. Irregular, mild contractions occurring every 12 to 15 minutes without cervical change are generally not concerning. While the presence of fetal fibronectin in vaginal secretions between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation may predict preterm labor, its predictive value is limited (20%-40%). Therefore, cervical changes provide more reliable information regarding the risk of preterm labor.

3. When should the low-risk patient, who is 16 weeks pregnant, be advised to return to the prenatal clinic?

• A. 1 week.
• B. 2 weeks.
• C. 3 weeks.
• D. 4 weeks.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 4 weeks. Low-risk pregnant patients typically have prenatal visits every 4 weeks until 28 weeks of gestation. This frequency allows for adequate monitoring of the pregnancy without being overly burdensome on the patient. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not align with the standard prenatal care schedule for low-risk pregnancies. Visits that are too frequent may cause unnecessary anxiety for the patient, while visits that are too infrequent may miss important opportunities for monitoring and intervention.

4. What causes Down's syndrome?

• A. Alcohol abuse by the mother at the time of conception.
• B. Sex-linked chromosomal abnormalities.
• C. An extra chromosome on the 21st pair.
• D. Drug abuse by the mother during pregnancy.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Down's syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome on the 21st pair. Choice A is incorrect as alcohol abuse is not the cause of Down's syndrome. Choice B is incorrect because Down's syndrome is not related to sex-linked chromosomal abnormalities. Choice D is also incorrect as drug abuse by the mother during pregnancy is not the cause of Down's syndrome.

5. Females with Turner syndrome:

• A. possess more thymine than cytosine.
• B. are taller than average.
• C. produce little estrogen.
• D. are more likely to give birth to twins.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Turner syndrome is a chromosomal disorder in females characterized by short stature and underdeveloped ovaries, resulting in low estrogen production. This leads to symptoms such as delayed puberty and infertility. Choice A is incorrect because the chromosomal abnormality in Turner syndrome does not affect the thymine-cytosine ratio. Choice B is incorrect as females with Turner syndrome are typically shorter than average. Choice D is incorrect as Turner syndrome does not increase the likelihood of giving birth to twins.

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