a woman who is 38 weeks gestation is receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by t
Logo

Nursing Elites

HESI LPN

HESI Focus on Maternity Exam

1. A woman who is 38 weeks gestation is receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia. Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Absent patellar reflexes. Absent patellar reflexes can indicate magnesium toxicity, a serious condition that requires immediate intervention to prevent respiratory depression or cardiac arrest. Dizziness while standing (choice A) is common in pregnancy but does not specifically indicate magnesium toxicity. Sinus tachycardia (choice B) can be a normal response to magnesium sulfate but does not indicate toxicity. Lower back pain (choice C) is common in pregnancy and not specifically associated with magnesium toxicity.

2. A client at 30 weeks gestation reports that she has not felt the baby move in the last 24 hours. Concerned, she arrives in a panic at the obstetric clinic where she is immediately sent to the hospital. Which assessment warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A fetal heart rate of 60 beats per minute is significantly below the normal range (110-160 bpm) and indicates fetal distress, requiring immediate intervention. This low heart rate can be a sign of fetal compromise or distress, necessitating urgent evaluation and intervention to ensure the well-being of the fetus. Choices B, C, and D do not indicate immediate fetal distress requiring urgent intervention. Ruptured amniotic membrane, onset of uterine contractions, and leaking amniotic fluid are important assessments but do not present an immediate threat to the fetus's life like a severely low fetal heart rate.

3. Chromosomes contain thousands of segments called:

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Chromosomes are structures composed of DNA and genes. Genes are the functional segments within chromosomes that encode specific traits and characteristics. The other choices ('nuclei,' 'nodes,' 'capillaries') do not accurately describe the segments found within chromosomes and are unrelated to their structure or function.

4. Thalidomide was marketed in the 1960s as a treatment for:

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Thalidomide was initially marketed as a treatment for insomnia and nausea, particularly in pregnant women. However, it was later found to cause severe birth defects, leading to significant consequences. Choice B, infertility and impotence, is incorrect as thalidomide was not marketed for these conditions. Choices C and D, Down syndrome and Turner syndrome, are genetic conditions and not conditions for which thalidomide was intended as a treatment.

5. _________ are problems that stem from the interaction of heredity and environmental factors.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Multifactorial problems are conditions that result from the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. These conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, are not solely determined by genetics or environment but are influenced by a combination of both factors. Choice B, cognitive problems, refers to difficulties related to thinking, learning, and memory and are not specifically linked to genetic and environmental interactions. Choices C and D, horizon problems and coronal problems, are nonsensical terms and do not relate to the interaction of heredity and environmental factors.

Similar Questions

When does the fetus typically begin to turn and respond to external stimulation during pregnancy?
In the context of an average ejaculation, which of the following statements is true about sperm?
Rubella, also called German measles, is a viral infection passed from the mother to the fetus that can cause birth defects such as deafness, intellectual disabilities, blindness, and heart disease in the embryo.
A new mother who is a lacto-ovo vegetarian plans to breastfeed her infant. Which information should the nurse provide prior to discharge?
What maternal factor should the nurse identify as having the greatest impact on the development of spina bifida occulta in a newborn?

Access More Features

HESI LPN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All HESI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

HESI LPN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All HESI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

Other Courses