Maternal Child Nursing Care - Chapter
17: Labor and Birth Complications Exam
Q&A 100% Solved
In planning for home care of a woman with preterm labor, which concern
must the nurse address?
a. Nursing assessments will be different from those done in the hospital
setting.
b. Restricted activity and medications will be necessary to prevent
recurrence of preterm labor.
c. Prolonged bed rest may cause negative physiologic effects.
d. Home health care providers will be necessary. - ✔✔ANS: C
Prolonged bed rest may cause adverse effects such as weight loss, loss of
appetite, muscle wasting, weakness, bone demineralization, decreased
cardiac output, risk for thrombophlebitis, alteration in bowel functions, sleep
disturbance, and prolonged after birth recovery. Nursing assessments will
differ somewhat from those performed in the acute care setting, but this is
1
©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
,not the concern that needs to be addressed. Restricted activity and
medication may prevent preterm labor, but not in all women. In addition, the
plan of care is individualized to meet the needs of each woman. Many
women will receive home health nurse visits, but care is individualized for
each woman.
The nurse providing care for a woman with preterm labor who is receiving
terbutaline would include which intervention to identify side effects of the
drug?
a. Assessing deep tendon reflexes (DTRs)
b. Assessing for chest discomfort and palpitations
c. Assessing for bradycardia
d. Assessing for hypoglycemia - ✔✔ANS: B
Terbutaline is a β2-adrenergic agonist that affects the cardiopulmonary and
metabolic systems of the mother. Signs of cardiopulmonary
decompensation would include chest pain and palpitations. Assessing
DTRs would not address these concerns. β2-Adrenergic agonist drugs
cause tachycardia, not bradycardia. The metabolic effect leads to
hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia.
2
©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
, In evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate for the treatment of
preterm labor, what finding would alert the nurse to possible side effects?
a. Urine output of 160 mL in 4 hours
b. Deep tendon reflexes 2+ and no clonus
c. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
d. Serum magnesium level of 10 mg/dL - ✔✔ANS: D
The therapeutic range for magnesium sulfate management is 5 to 8 mg/dL.
A serum magnesium level of 10 mg/dL could lead to signs and symptoms
of magnesium toxicity, including oliguria and respiratory distress. Urine
output of 160 mL in 4 hours, deep tendon reflexes 2+ with no clonus, and
respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min are normal findings.
A woman in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation receives two 12-mg
doses of betamethasone intramuscularly. The purpose of this
pharmacologic treatment is to:
a. stimulate fetal surfactant production.
b. reduce maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with ritodrine
administration.
c. suppress uterine contractions.
3
©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
17: Labor and Birth Complications Exam
Q&A 100% Solved
In planning for home care of a woman with preterm labor, which concern
must the nurse address?
a. Nursing assessments will be different from those done in the hospital
setting.
b. Restricted activity and medications will be necessary to prevent
recurrence of preterm labor.
c. Prolonged bed rest may cause negative physiologic effects.
d. Home health care providers will be necessary. - ✔✔ANS: C
Prolonged bed rest may cause adverse effects such as weight loss, loss of
appetite, muscle wasting, weakness, bone demineralization, decreased
cardiac output, risk for thrombophlebitis, alteration in bowel functions, sleep
disturbance, and prolonged after birth recovery. Nursing assessments will
differ somewhat from those performed in the acute care setting, but this is
1
©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
,not the concern that needs to be addressed. Restricted activity and
medication may prevent preterm labor, but not in all women. In addition, the
plan of care is individualized to meet the needs of each woman. Many
women will receive home health nurse visits, but care is individualized for
each woman.
The nurse providing care for a woman with preterm labor who is receiving
terbutaline would include which intervention to identify side effects of the
drug?
a. Assessing deep tendon reflexes (DTRs)
b. Assessing for chest discomfort and palpitations
c. Assessing for bradycardia
d. Assessing for hypoglycemia - ✔✔ANS: B
Terbutaline is a β2-adrenergic agonist that affects the cardiopulmonary and
metabolic systems of the mother. Signs of cardiopulmonary
decompensation would include chest pain and palpitations. Assessing
DTRs would not address these concerns. β2-Adrenergic agonist drugs
cause tachycardia, not bradycardia. The metabolic effect leads to
hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia.
2
©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
, In evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate for the treatment of
preterm labor, what finding would alert the nurse to possible side effects?
a. Urine output of 160 mL in 4 hours
b. Deep tendon reflexes 2+ and no clonus
c. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
d. Serum magnesium level of 10 mg/dL - ✔✔ANS: D
The therapeutic range for magnesium sulfate management is 5 to 8 mg/dL.
A serum magnesium level of 10 mg/dL could lead to signs and symptoms
of magnesium toxicity, including oliguria and respiratory distress. Urine
output of 160 mL in 4 hours, deep tendon reflexes 2+ with no clonus, and
respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min are normal findings.
A woman in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation receives two 12-mg
doses of betamethasone intramuscularly. The purpose of this
pharmacologic treatment is to:
a. stimulate fetal surfactant production.
b. reduce maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with ritodrine
administration.
c. suppress uterine contractions.
3
©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
