NUR 2712C – Nursing Care of the Family – Reproduction and Clotting
Module Review with Exam-Focused Q&A
The nurse caring for pregnant women must be aware that the most common medical
complication of pregnancy is:
a. hypertension.
b. hyperemesis gravidarum.
c. hemorrhagic complications.
d. infections. - correct answer ANS: A
Preeclampsia and eclampsia are two noted deadly forms of hypertension. A large percentage of
pregnant women will have nausea and vomiting, but a relatively few have the severe form
called hyperemesis gravidarum. Hemorrhagic complications are the second most common
medical complication of pregnancy; hypertension is the most common
What does the nurse assess to detect the presence of a hypertensive disorder in a pregnant
patient? Select all that apply.
a. Proteinuria
b. Epigastric pain
c. Placenta previa
d. Presence of edema
e. Blood pressure (BP): - correct answer ANS: A, B, D, E
Proteinuria indicates hypertension in a pregnant patient. Proteinuria is concentration e300
mg/24 hours in a 24-hour urine collection. The nurse needs to assess the patient for epigastric
pain because it indicates severe preeclampsia. Hypertension is likely to cause edema or swollen
ankles as a result of greater hydrostatic pressure in the lower parts of the body. Therefore the
nurse needs to assess the patient for the presence of edema. Accurate measurement of BP will
help detect the presence of any hypertensive disorder. A systolic BP greater than 140 mm Hg or
a diastolic BP greater than 90 mm Hg will indicate hypertension. Placenta previa is a condition
,wherein the placenta is implanted in the lower uterine segment covering the cervix, which
causes bleeding when the cervix dilates.
A patient with pregnancy-induced hypertension is admitted complaining of pounding headache,
visual changes, and epigastric pain. Nursing care is based on the knowledge that these signs are
an indication of:
a. anxiety due to hospitalization.
b. worsening disease and impending convulsion.
c. effects of magnesium sulfate.
d. gastrointestinal upset. - correct answer ANS: B
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.
These are danger signs showing increased cerebral edema and impending convulsion and
should be treated immediately. The patient has not been started on magnesium sulfate
treatment yet. Also, these are not anticipated effects of the medication
A pregnant patient has a systolic blood pressure that exceeds 160 mm Hg. Which action should
the nurse take for this patient?
a. Administer magnesium sulfate intravenously.
b. Obtain a prescription for antihypertensive medications.
c. Restrict intravenous and oral fluids to 125 mL/hr.
d. Monitor fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions (UCs). - correct answer ANS: B
Systolic blood pressure exceeding 160 mm Hg indicates severe hypertension in the patient. The
nurse should alert the health care provider and obtain a prescription for antihypertensive
medications, such as nifedipine (Adalat) and labetalol hydrochloride (Normodyne). Magnesium
sulfate would be administered if the patient was experiencing eclamptic seizures. Oral and
intravenous fluids are restricted when the patient is at risk for pulmonary edema. Monitoring
FHR and UCs is a priority when the patient experiences a trauma so that any complications can
be addressed immediately.
Which hypertensive disorders can occur during pregnancy? Select all that apply
,a. Chronic Hypertension
b. Preeclampsia-eclampsia
c. Hyperemesis gravidarum
d. Gestational Hypertension
e. Gestational trophoblastic disease - correct answer ANS: A, B, D
Chronic hypertension refers to hypertension that developed in the pregnant patient before 20
weeks' gestation. Preeclampsia refers to hypertension and proteinuria that develops after 20
weeks' gestation. Eclampsia is the onset of seizure activity in a pregnant patient with
preeclampsia. Gestational hypertension is the onset of hypertension after 20 weeks' gestation.
Gestational trophoblastic disease and hyperemesis gravidarum are not hypertensive disorders.
Gestational trophoblastic disease refers to a disorder without a viable fetus that is caused by
abnormal fertilization. Hyperemesis gravidarum is excessive vomiting during pregnancy that
may result in weight loss and electrolyte imbalance.
Nurses should be aware that chronic hypertension is:
a. Defined as hypertension that begins during pregnancy and lasts for the duration of
pregnancy.
b. Considered severe when the systolic blood pressure (BP) is greater than 140 mm Hg or the
diastolic BP is greater than 90 mm Hg.
c. General hypertension plus proteinuria.
d. Can occur independently of or simultaneously with gestational hypertension. - correct
answer ANS: D
Hypertension is present before pregnancy or diagnosed before 20 weeks of gestation and
persists longer than 6 weeks after birth. The range for hypertension is systolic BP greater than
140 mm Hg or diastolic BP greater than 90 mm Hg. It becomes severe with a diastolic BP of 110
mm Hg or higher. Proteinuria is an excessive concentration of protein in the urine. It is a
complication of hypertension, not a defining characteristic.
, A client with chronic hypertension and superimposed preeclampsia gives birth at 39 weeks'
gestation to a 4 lb 12 oz (2155 g) infant. Which condition would the nurse anticipate when
assessing this infant?
a. Prematurity
b. Cardiac anomalies
c. Respiratory infection
d. Intrauterine growth restriction - correct answer ANS: D
The pathological changes of maternal chronic vascular disease cause uteroplacental
insufficiency; vasospasms diminish fetal oxygenation and nutrition, which lead to slow fetal
growth. Prematurity is defined as gestational age of less than 37 weeks. There is no greater
incidence of cardiac anomalies in infants with-intrauterine growth restriction. Neither is there a
greater incidence of infection in infants with low birth weight; however, they may have a lower
resistance to infection.
Which conditions during pregnancy can result in preeclampsia in the patient? Select all that
apply.
a. Genetic abnormalities
b. Dietary deficiencies
c. Abnormal trophoblast invasion
d. Cardiovascular changes
e. Maternal hypotension: - correct answer ANS: A, B, C, D
Current theories consider that genetic abnormalities and dietary deficiencies can result in
preeclampsia. Abnormal trophoblast invasion causes fetal hypoxia and results in maternal
hypertension. Cardiovascular changes stimulate the inflammatory system and result in
preeclampsia in the pregnant patient. Maternal hypertension, and not hypotension, after 20
weeks' gestation is known as preeclampsia.
After a client gives birth she has the following vital signs: temperature 99.4°F (37.4°C); pulse
rate 80 beats/min and regular; respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min, with even respirations; and
Module Review with Exam-Focused Q&A
The nurse caring for pregnant women must be aware that the most common medical
complication of pregnancy is:
a. hypertension.
b. hyperemesis gravidarum.
c. hemorrhagic complications.
d. infections. - correct answer ANS: A
Preeclampsia and eclampsia are two noted deadly forms of hypertension. A large percentage of
pregnant women will have nausea and vomiting, but a relatively few have the severe form
called hyperemesis gravidarum. Hemorrhagic complications are the second most common
medical complication of pregnancy; hypertension is the most common
What does the nurse assess to detect the presence of a hypertensive disorder in a pregnant
patient? Select all that apply.
a. Proteinuria
b. Epigastric pain
c. Placenta previa
d. Presence of edema
e. Blood pressure (BP): - correct answer ANS: A, B, D, E
Proteinuria indicates hypertension in a pregnant patient. Proteinuria is concentration e300
mg/24 hours in a 24-hour urine collection. The nurse needs to assess the patient for epigastric
pain because it indicates severe preeclampsia. Hypertension is likely to cause edema or swollen
ankles as a result of greater hydrostatic pressure in the lower parts of the body. Therefore the
nurse needs to assess the patient for the presence of edema. Accurate measurement of BP will
help detect the presence of any hypertensive disorder. A systolic BP greater than 140 mm Hg or
a diastolic BP greater than 90 mm Hg will indicate hypertension. Placenta previa is a condition
,wherein the placenta is implanted in the lower uterine segment covering the cervix, which
causes bleeding when the cervix dilates.
A patient with pregnancy-induced hypertension is admitted complaining of pounding headache,
visual changes, and epigastric pain. Nursing care is based on the knowledge that these signs are
an indication of:
a. anxiety due to hospitalization.
b. worsening disease and impending convulsion.
c. effects of magnesium sulfate.
d. gastrointestinal upset. - correct answer ANS: B
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.
These are danger signs showing increased cerebral edema and impending convulsion and
should be treated immediately. The patient has not been started on magnesium sulfate
treatment yet. Also, these are not anticipated effects of the medication
A pregnant patient has a systolic blood pressure that exceeds 160 mm Hg. Which action should
the nurse take for this patient?
a. Administer magnesium sulfate intravenously.
b. Obtain a prescription for antihypertensive medications.
c. Restrict intravenous and oral fluids to 125 mL/hr.
d. Monitor fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions (UCs). - correct answer ANS: B
Systolic blood pressure exceeding 160 mm Hg indicates severe hypertension in the patient. The
nurse should alert the health care provider and obtain a prescription for antihypertensive
medications, such as nifedipine (Adalat) and labetalol hydrochloride (Normodyne). Magnesium
sulfate would be administered if the patient was experiencing eclamptic seizures. Oral and
intravenous fluids are restricted when the patient is at risk for pulmonary edema. Monitoring
FHR and UCs is a priority when the patient experiences a trauma so that any complications can
be addressed immediately.
Which hypertensive disorders can occur during pregnancy? Select all that apply
,a. Chronic Hypertension
b. Preeclampsia-eclampsia
c. Hyperemesis gravidarum
d. Gestational Hypertension
e. Gestational trophoblastic disease - correct answer ANS: A, B, D
Chronic hypertension refers to hypertension that developed in the pregnant patient before 20
weeks' gestation. Preeclampsia refers to hypertension and proteinuria that develops after 20
weeks' gestation. Eclampsia is the onset of seizure activity in a pregnant patient with
preeclampsia. Gestational hypertension is the onset of hypertension after 20 weeks' gestation.
Gestational trophoblastic disease and hyperemesis gravidarum are not hypertensive disorders.
Gestational trophoblastic disease refers to a disorder without a viable fetus that is caused by
abnormal fertilization. Hyperemesis gravidarum is excessive vomiting during pregnancy that
may result in weight loss and electrolyte imbalance.
Nurses should be aware that chronic hypertension is:
a. Defined as hypertension that begins during pregnancy and lasts for the duration of
pregnancy.
b. Considered severe when the systolic blood pressure (BP) is greater than 140 mm Hg or the
diastolic BP is greater than 90 mm Hg.
c. General hypertension plus proteinuria.
d. Can occur independently of or simultaneously with gestational hypertension. - correct
answer ANS: D
Hypertension is present before pregnancy or diagnosed before 20 weeks of gestation and
persists longer than 6 weeks after birth. The range for hypertension is systolic BP greater than
140 mm Hg or diastolic BP greater than 90 mm Hg. It becomes severe with a diastolic BP of 110
mm Hg or higher. Proteinuria is an excessive concentration of protein in the urine. It is a
complication of hypertension, not a defining characteristic.
, A client with chronic hypertension and superimposed preeclampsia gives birth at 39 weeks'
gestation to a 4 lb 12 oz (2155 g) infant. Which condition would the nurse anticipate when
assessing this infant?
a. Prematurity
b. Cardiac anomalies
c. Respiratory infection
d. Intrauterine growth restriction - correct answer ANS: D
The pathological changes of maternal chronic vascular disease cause uteroplacental
insufficiency; vasospasms diminish fetal oxygenation and nutrition, which lead to slow fetal
growth. Prematurity is defined as gestational age of less than 37 weeks. There is no greater
incidence of cardiac anomalies in infants with-intrauterine growth restriction. Neither is there a
greater incidence of infection in infants with low birth weight; however, they may have a lower
resistance to infection.
Which conditions during pregnancy can result in preeclampsia in the patient? Select all that
apply.
a. Genetic abnormalities
b. Dietary deficiencies
c. Abnormal trophoblast invasion
d. Cardiovascular changes
e. Maternal hypotension: - correct answer ANS: A, B, C, D
Current theories consider that genetic abnormalities and dietary deficiencies can result in
preeclampsia. Abnormal trophoblast invasion causes fetal hypoxia and results in maternal
hypertension. Cardiovascular changes stimulate the inflammatory system and result in
preeclampsia in the pregnant patient. Maternal hypertension, and not hypotension, after 20
weeks' gestation is known as preeclampsia.
After a client gives birth she has the following vital signs: temperature 99.4°F (37.4°C); pulse
rate 80 beats/min and regular; respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min, with even respirations; and
