RICCI CHAPTER 11 EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. During a vaginal exam, the nurse notes that the lower uterine segment is softened.
The nurse
documents this finding as:
A. Hegar sign.
B. Goodell sign.
C. Chadwick sign.
D. Ortolani sign. - Correct Answers -Answer: A
Rationale: Hegar sign refers to the softening of the lower uterine segment or isthmus.
Bluish
coloration of the cervix is termed Chadwick sign. Goodell sign refers to the softening of
the
cervix. Ortolani sign is a maneuver done to identify developmental dysplasia of the hip
in
infants.
2. The nurse teaches a primigravida client that lightening occurs about 2 weeks before
the onset
of labor. What will the mother likely experience at that time?
A. dysuria
B. dyspnea
C. constipation
D. urinary frequency - Correct Answers -Answer: D
Rationale: Lightening refers to the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis and
engagement. With
this descent, pressure on the diaphragm decreases, easing breathing, but pressure on
the bladder
increases, leading to urinary frequency. Dysuria might indicate a urinary tract infection.
Constipation may occur throughout pregnancy due to decreased peristalsis, but it is
unrelated to
lightening.
3. A gravida 2 para 1 client in the 10th week of her pregnancy says to the nurse, "I've
never
urinated as often as I have for the past three weeks." Which response would be most
appropriate
for the nurse to make?
, A. "Having to urinate so often is annoying. I suggest that you watch how much fluid you
are
drinking and limit it."
B. "You shouldn't be urinating this frequently now; it usually stops by the time you're
eight
weeks pregnant. Is there anything else bothering you?"
C. "By the time you are 12 weeks pregnant, this frequent urination should really
decrease, but it
is likely to return toward the end of your pregnancy."
D. "Women having their second child generally don't have frequent urination. Are you
experiencing any burning sensations?" - Correct Answers -Answer: C
Rationale: As the uterus grows, it presses on the urinary bladder, causing the increased
frequency
of urination during the first trimester. This complaint lessens during the second trimester
only to
reappear in the third trimester as the fetus begins to descend into the pelvis, causing
pressure on
the bladder.
4. In a client's seventh month of pregnancy, she reports feeling "dizzy, like I'm going to
pass out,
when I lie down flat on my back." The nurse explains that this is due to:
A. pressure of the gravid uterus on the vena cava.
B. a 50% increase in blood volume.
C. physiologic anemia due to hemoglobin decrease.
D. pressure of the presenting fetal part on the diaphragm. - Correct Answers -Answer: A
Rationale: The client is describing symptoms of supine hypotension syndrome, which
occurs
when the heavy gravid uterus falls back against the superior vena cava in the supine
position.
The vena cava is compressed, reducing venous return, cardiac output, and blood
pressure, with
increased orthostasis. The increased blood volume and physiologic anemia are
unrelated to the
client's symptoms. Pressure on the diaphragm would lead to dyspnea.
12. A woman suspecting she is pregnant asks the nurse about which signs would
confirm her
pregnancy. The nurse would explain that which sign would confirm the pregnancy?
A. absence of menstrual period
B. abdominal enlargement
C. palpable fetal movement
D. morning sickness - Correct Answers -Answer: C
Rationale: Only positive signs of pregnancy would confirm a pregnancy. The positive
signs of
AND ANSWERS
1. During a vaginal exam, the nurse notes that the lower uterine segment is softened.
The nurse
documents this finding as:
A. Hegar sign.
B. Goodell sign.
C. Chadwick sign.
D. Ortolani sign. - Correct Answers -Answer: A
Rationale: Hegar sign refers to the softening of the lower uterine segment or isthmus.
Bluish
coloration of the cervix is termed Chadwick sign. Goodell sign refers to the softening of
the
cervix. Ortolani sign is a maneuver done to identify developmental dysplasia of the hip
in
infants.
2. The nurse teaches a primigravida client that lightening occurs about 2 weeks before
the onset
of labor. What will the mother likely experience at that time?
A. dysuria
B. dyspnea
C. constipation
D. urinary frequency - Correct Answers -Answer: D
Rationale: Lightening refers to the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis and
engagement. With
this descent, pressure on the diaphragm decreases, easing breathing, but pressure on
the bladder
increases, leading to urinary frequency. Dysuria might indicate a urinary tract infection.
Constipation may occur throughout pregnancy due to decreased peristalsis, but it is
unrelated to
lightening.
3. A gravida 2 para 1 client in the 10th week of her pregnancy says to the nurse, "I've
never
urinated as often as I have for the past three weeks." Which response would be most
appropriate
for the nurse to make?
, A. "Having to urinate so often is annoying. I suggest that you watch how much fluid you
are
drinking and limit it."
B. "You shouldn't be urinating this frequently now; it usually stops by the time you're
eight
weeks pregnant. Is there anything else bothering you?"
C. "By the time you are 12 weeks pregnant, this frequent urination should really
decrease, but it
is likely to return toward the end of your pregnancy."
D. "Women having their second child generally don't have frequent urination. Are you
experiencing any burning sensations?" - Correct Answers -Answer: C
Rationale: As the uterus grows, it presses on the urinary bladder, causing the increased
frequency
of urination during the first trimester. This complaint lessens during the second trimester
only to
reappear in the third trimester as the fetus begins to descend into the pelvis, causing
pressure on
the bladder.
4. In a client's seventh month of pregnancy, she reports feeling "dizzy, like I'm going to
pass out,
when I lie down flat on my back." The nurse explains that this is due to:
A. pressure of the gravid uterus on the vena cava.
B. a 50% increase in blood volume.
C. physiologic anemia due to hemoglobin decrease.
D. pressure of the presenting fetal part on the diaphragm. - Correct Answers -Answer: A
Rationale: The client is describing symptoms of supine hypotension syndrome, which
occurs
when the heavy gravid uterus falls back against the superior vena cava in the supine
position.
The vena cava is compressed, reducing venous return, cardiac output, and blood
pressure, with
increased orthostasis. The increased blood volume and physiologic anemia are
unrelated to the
client's symptoms. Pressure on the diaphragm would lead to dyspnea.
12. A woman suspecting she is pregnant asks the nurse about which signs would
confirm her
pregnancy. The nurse would explain that which sign would confirm the pregnancy?
A. absence of menstrual period
B. abdominal enlargement
C. palpable fetal movement
D. morning sickness - Correct Answers -Answer: C
Rationale: Only positive signs of pregnancy would confirm a pregnancy. The positive
signs of
