Complications of Pregnancy NCLEX- preeclampsia 2023
practice questions and answers
A client with preeclampsia is being treated with bed rest and intravenous magnesium
sulfate. The drug classification of this medication is a:
a. diuretic.
b. tocolytic.
c. anticonvulsant.
d. antihypertensive.
C ~ Anticonvulsant drugs act by blocking neuromuscular transmission and depress the
central nervous system to control seizure activity. Diuresis is a therapeutic response to
magnesium sulfate. A tocolytic drug slows the frequency and intensity of uterine
contractions but is not used for that purpose in this scenario. Decreased peripheral
blood pressure is a therapeutic response (side effect) of the anticonvulsant magnesium
sulfate.
Which is the only known cure for preeclampsia?
a. Magnesium sulfate
b. Delivery of the fetus
c. Antihypertensive medications
d. Administration of aspirin (ASA) every day of the pregnancy
B ~If the fetus is viable and near term, birth is the only known cure for preeclampsia.
Magnesium sulfate is one of the medications used to treat but not cure preeclampsia.
Antihypertensive medications are used to lower the dangerously elevated blood
pressures in preeclampsia and eclampsia. Low doses of aspirin (60 to 80 mg) have
been administered to women at high risk for developing preeclampsia.
The clinic nurse is performing a prenatal assessment on a pregnant client at risk for
preeclampsia. Which clinical sign is not included as a symptom of preeclampsia?
a. Edema
b. Proteinuria
c. Glucosuria
d. Hypertension
C ~ Glucose into the urine is not one of the three classic symptoms of preeclampsia.
The first sign noted by the pregnant client is rapid weight gain & edema of the hands &
face. Proteinuria usually develops later than the edema & hypertension. The first
indication of preeclampsia is usually an increase in the maternal blood pressure.
Which intrapartal assessment should be avoided when caring for a client with HELLP
syndrome?
a. Abdominal palpation
b. Venous sample of blood
c. Checking deep tendon reflexes
d. Auscultation of the heart and lungs
A ~ Palpation of the abdomen and liver could result in a sudden increase in
intraabdominal pressure, leading to rupture of the subcapsular hematoma. Assessment
of heart and lungs is performed on every patient. Checking reflexes is not
contraindicated. Venous blood is checked frequently to observe for thrombocytopenia.
, A nurse is explaining to the nursing students working on the antepartum unit how to
assess edema. Which edema assessment score indicates edema of the lower
extremities, face, hands, and sacral area?
a. +1
b. +2
c. +3
d. +4
C ~ Edema of the extremities, face, and sacral area is classified as +3 edema. Edema
classified as +1 indicates minimal edema of the lower extremities. Marked edema of the
lower extremities is +2 edema. Generalized massive edema (+4) includes the
accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.
The priority nursing intervention when admitting a pregnant client who has experienced
a bleeding episode in late pregnancy is to:
a. monitor uterine contractions.
b. assess fetal heart rate and maternal vital signs.
c. place clean disposable pads to collect any drainage.
d. perform a venipuncture for hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
B ~ Assessment of the fetal heart rate (FHR) and maternal vital signs will assist the
nurse in determining the degree of the blood loss and its effect on the client and fetus.
Monitoring uterine contractions is important, but not the top priority. It is important to
assess future bleeding, but the top priority is client and fetal well-being. The most
important assessment is to check client and fetal well-being. The blood levels can be
obtained later.
A 17-year-old primigravida has gained 4 pounds since her last prenatal visit. Her blood
pressure is 140/92 mm Hg. The most important nursing action is to:
a. advise her to cut down on fast foods that are high in fat.
b. caution her to avoid salty foods and to return in 2 weeks.
c. assess weight gain, location of edema, and urine for protein.
d. recommend she stay home from school for a few days to reduce stress.
C ~ The nurse should further assess the client for hypertension, generalized edema,
and proteinuria, which are classic signs of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Cutting
down on fast foods will not relieve the symptoms of pregnancy-induced hypertension.
She is at risk for pregnancy-induced hypertension and should be evaluated at this visit.
Rest may be the treatment at first, but she needs further assessment to determine if
pregnancy-induced hypertension is the problem.
A client with preeclampsia is admitted complaining of pounding headache, visual
changes, and epigastric pain. Nursing care is based on the knowledge that these signs
indicate:
a. gastrointestinal upset.
b. effects of magnesium sulfate.
c. anxiety caused by hospitalization.
d. worsening disease and impending convulsion.
D ~ Headache and visual disturbances are caused by increased cerebral edema.
Epigastric pain indicates distention of the hepatic capsules and often warns that a
convulsion is imminent. Gastrointestinal upset is not an indication as severe as the
practice questions and answers
A client with preeclampsia is being treated with bed rest and intravenous magnesium
sulfate. The drug classification of this medication is a:
a. diuretic.
b. tocolytic.
c. anticonvulsant.
d. antihypertensive.
C ~ Anticonvulsant drugs act by blocking neuromuscular transmission and depress the
central nervous system to control seizure activity. Diuresis is a therapeutic response to
magnesium sulfate. A tocolytic drug slows the frequency and intensity of uterine
contractions but is not used for that purpose in this scenario. Decreased peripheral
blood pressure is a therapeutic response (side effect) of the anticonvulsant magnesium
sulfate.
Which is the only known cure for preeclampsia?
a. Magnesium sulfate
b. Delivery of the fetus
c. Antihypertensive medications
d. Administration of aspirin (ASA) every day of the pregnancy
B ~If the fetus is viable and near term, birth is the only known cure for preeclampsia.
Magnesium sulfate is one of the medications used to treat but not cure preeclampsia.
Antihypertensive medications are used to lower the dangerously elevated blood
pressures in preeclampsia and eclampsia. Low doses of aspirin (60 to 80 mg) have
been administered to women at high risk for developing preeclampsia.
The clinic nurse is performing a prenatal assessment on a pregnant client at risk for
preeclampsia. Which clinical sign is not included as a symptom of preeclampsia?
a. Edema
b. Proteinuria
c. Glucosuria
d. Hypertension
C ~ Glucose into the urine is not one of the three classic symptoms of preeclampsia.
The first sign noted by the pregnant client is rapid weight gain & edema of the hands &
face. Proteinuria usually develops later than the edema & hypertension. The first
indication of preeclampsia is usually an increase in the maternal blood pressure.
Which intrapartal assessment should be avoided when caring for a client with HELLP
syndrome?
a. Abdominal palpation
b. Venous sample of blood
c. Checking deep tendon reflexes
d. Auscultation of the heart and lungs
A ~ Palpation of the abdomen and liver could result in a sudden increase in
intraabdominal pressure, leading to rupture of the subcapsular hematoma. Assessment
of heart and lungs is performed on every patient. Checking reflexes is not
contraindicated. Venous blood is checked frequently to observe for thrombocytopenia.
, A nurse is explaining to the nursing students working on the antepartum unit how to
assess edema. Which edema assessment score indicates edema of the lower
extremities, face, hands, and sacral area?
a. +1
b. +2
c. +3
d. +4
C ~ Edema of the extremities, face, and sacral area is classified as +3 edema. Edema
classified as +1 indicates minimal edema of the lower extremities. Marked edema of the
lower extremities is +2 edema. Generalized massive edema (+4) includes the
accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.
The priority nursing intervention when admitting a pregnant client who has experienced
a bleeding episode in late pregnancy is to:
a. monitor uterine contractions.
b. assess fetal heart rate and maternal vital signs.
c. place clean disposable pads to collect any drainage.
d. perform a venipuncture for hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
B ~ Assessment of the fetal heart rate (FHR) and maternal vital signs will assist the
nurse in determining the degree of the blood loss and its effect on the client and fetus.
Monitoring uterine contractions is important, but not the top priority. It is important to
assess future bleeding, but the top priority is client and fetal well-being. The most
important assessment is to check client and fetal well-being. The blood levels can be
obtained later.
A 17-year-old primigravida has gained 4 pounds since her last prenatal visit. Her blood
pressure is 140/92 mm Hg. The most important nursing action is to:
a. advise her to cut down on fast foods that are high in fat.
b. caution her to avoid salty foods and to return in 2 weeks.
c. assess weight gain, location of edema, and urine for protein.
d. recommend she stay home from school for a few days to reduce stress.
C ~ The nurse should further assess the client for hypertension, generalized edema,
and proteinuria, which are classic signs of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Cutting
down on fast foods will not relieve the symptoms of pregnancy-induced hypertension.
She is at risk for pregnancy-induced hypertension and should be evaluated at this visit.
Rest may be the treatment at first, but she needs further assessment to determine if
pregnancy-induced hypertension is the problem.
A client with preeclampsia is admitted complaining of pounding headache, visual
changes, and epigastric pain. Nursing care is based on the knowledge that these signs
indicate:
a. gastrointestinal upset.
b. effects of magnesium sulfate.
c. anxiety caused by hospitalization.
d. worsening disease and impending convulsion.
D ~ Headache and visual disturbances are caused by increased cerebral edema.
Epigastric pain indicates distention of the hepatic capsules and often warns that a
convulsion is imminent. Gastrointestinal upset is not an indication as severe as the
