EAQ: Chapter 4: Prenatal Care &
Adaptations to Pregnancy
Questions with Accurate Answers
A patient reports a positive home pregnancy test. Which would the nurse
recognize this sign of pregnancy as?
1) Positive
2) Probable
3) Predictive
4) Presumptive correct answer 2) Probable
A positive home pregnancy test is a probable sign of pregnancy. A positive sign of
pregnancy includes fetal heart activity, fetal movement, and visualization with an
ultrasound. There is no predictive sign of pregnancy. A presumptive sign of
pregnancy includes maternal physiological changes of the cervix, vagina, and
consistency of the uterus.
A patient who is in the first trimester of pregnancy complains of frequent night-
time urination. Which instruction would the nurse give to reduce patient
discomfort?
1) "Wear garments such as pantyhose."
2) "Relax for 20 minutes after meals."
3) "Reduce your fluid intake in the evening."
4) "Eat small meals at frequent intervals." correct answer 3) "Reduce your fluid
intake in the evening."
,During pregnancy the growing uterus exerts pressure on the urinary bladder,
which causes frequent urination. Nocturia may cause the patient discomfort and
disturbed sleep. Therefore the nurse should advise the patient to limit fluid intake
in the evening. During pregnancy, tight undergarments such as pantyhose should
be avoided as they may increase the risk of vaginal infection. Relaxing for 20
minutes after the meals helps relieve any pain caused by heartburn. It neither
reduces the urinary frequency nor does it reduce the discomfort caused by
nocturia. Taking small meals at frequent intervals may help in reducing nausea
and vomiting.
A patient who is in the first trimester of pregnancy has been prescribed a
hemoglobin electrophoresis test. Which fetal complication is being assessed for?
1) Rh incompatibility
2) Fetal loss
3) Sickle cell anemia
4) Chromosomal anomalies correct answer 3) Sickle cell anemia
A pregnant woman in the first trimester is usually prescribed hemoglobin
electrophoresis to detect the presence of sickle cell anemia. Blood typing, Rh
factor, and antibody screen checks are used to detect the risk of Rh
incompatibility. An endovaginal ultrasound is used to determine the risk of fetal
loss. Chromosomal anomalies are detected by the serum alpha-fetoprotein test
during the second trimester.
A pregnant patient reports tingling of the fingers to the nurse. Which instruction
would the nurse give to the patient?
, 1) "You should perform Kegel exercises."
2) "You should avoid gas-forming foods."
3) "You should increase your fluid intake."
4) "You should wear a supportive maternity bra." correct answer 4) "You should
wear a supportive maternity bra."
This tingling sensation in the fingers is a result of breast enlargement. Breast
enlargement leads to drooping of the shoulders. This causes traction on the
brachial plexus; therefore the patient may experience tingling, pain, limited
motion, and numbness in the arm. Kegel exercises are performed to strengthen
the pelvic muscles but not decrease tingling sensation in the fingers of the
patient. The patient should avoid gas-forming foods and increase fluid intake to
prevent constipation.
During a prenatal check the patient reports nosebleeds and a change in her voice.
Which hormonal change is associated with this finding?
1) Decreased relaxin levels
2) Increased estrogen levels
3) Decreased oxytocin levels
4) Increased progesterone levels correct answer 2) Increased estrogen levels
During pregnancy, estrogen levels increase, ensuring proper blood supply to the
uterus, and thereby promoting fetal growth. The increased estrogen levels may
cause edema or swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose, pharynx, mouth,
and trachea. Due to this, the patient may have nasal stuffiness, epistaxis
(nosebleeds), and changes in her voice. During pregnancy, decreased relaxin
levels would not cause nosebleed and change in the patient's voice, but would fail
in inhibiting uterine activity. Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions; hence, its
Adaptations to Pregnancy
Questions with Accurate Answers
A patient reports a positive home pregnancy test. Which would the nurse
recognize this sign of pregnancy as?
1) Positive
2) Probable
3) Predictive
4) Presumptive correct answer 2) Probable
A positive home pregnancy test is a probable sign of pregnancy. A positive sign of
pregnancy includes fetal heart activity, fetal movement, and visualization with an
ultrasound. There is no predictive sign of pregnancy. A presumptive sign of
pregnancy includes maternal physiological changes of the cervix, vagina, and
consistency of the uterus.
A patient who is in the first trimester of pregnancy complains of frequent night-
time urination. Which instruction would the nurse give to reduce patient
discomfort?
1) "Wear garments such as pantyhose."
2) "Relax for 20 minutes after meals."
3) "Reduce your fluid intake in the evening."
4) "Eat small meals at frequent intervals." correct answer 3) "Reduce your fluid
intake in the evening."
,During pregnancy the growing uterus exerts pressure on the urinary bladder,
which causes frequent urination. Nocturia may cause the patient discomfort and
disturbed sleep. Therefore the nurse should advise the patient to limit fluid intake
in the evening. During pregnancy, tight undergarments such as pantyhose should
be avoided as they may increase the risk of vaginal infection. Relaxing for 20
minutes after the meals helps relieve any pain caused by heartburn. It neither
reduces the urinary frequency nor does it reduce the discomfort caused by
nocturia. Taking small meals at frequent intervals may help in reducing nausea
and vomiting.
A patient who is in the first trimester of pregnancy has been prescribed a
hemoglobin electrophoresis test. Which fetal complication is being assessed for?
1) Rh incompatibility
2) Fetal loss
3) Sickle cell anemia
4) Chromosomal anomalies correct answer 3) Sickle cell anemia
A pregnant woman in the first trimester is usually prescribed hemoglobin
electrophoresis to detect the presence of sickle cell anemia. Blood typing, Rh
factor, and antibody screen checks are used to detect the risk of Rh
incompatibility. An endovaginal ultrasound is used to determine the risk of fetal
loss. Chromosomal anomalies are detected by the serum alpha-fetoprotein test
during the second trimester.
A pregnant patient reports tingling of the fingers to the nurse. Which instruction
would the nurse give to the patient?
, 1) "You should perform Kegel exercises."
2) "You should avoid gas-forming foods."
3) "You should increase your fluid intake."
4) "You should wear a supportive maternity bra." correct answer 4) "You should
wear a supportive maternity bra."
This tingling sensation in the fingers is a result of breast enlargement. Breast
enlargement leads to drooping of the shoulders. This causes traction on the
brachial plexus; therefore the patient may experience tingling, pain, limited
motion, and numbness in the arm. Kegel exercises are performed to strengthen
the pelvic muscles but not decrease tingling sensation in the fingers of the
patient. The patient should avoid gas-forming foods and increase fluid intake to
prevent constipation.
During a prenatal check the patient reports nosebleeds and a change in her voice.
Which hormonal change is associated with this finding?
1) Decreased relaxin levels
2) Increased estrogen levels
3) Decreased oxytocin levels
4) Increased progesterone levels correct answer 2) Increased estrogen levels
During pregnancy, estrogen levels increase, ensuring proper blood supply to the
uterus, and thereby promoting fetal growth. The increased estrogen levels may
cause edema or swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose, pharynx, mouth,
and trachea. Due to this, the patient may have nasal stuffiness, epistaxis
(nosebleeds), and changes in her voice. During pregnancy, decreased relaxin
levels would not cause nosebleed and change in the patient's voice, but would fail
in inhibiting uterine activity. Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions; hence, its
