Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Maternal Complications

Question 1

A patient at 34 weeks gestation presents with a blood pressure of 158/106 mmHg, severe headache, visual disturbances, and 3+ proteinuria. What condition does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Severe feature preeclampsia

Answer

Blood pressure ≥160/110 mmHg with severe symptoms (headache, visual changes) and significant proteinuria meets criteria for preeclampsia with severe features requiring urgent intervention.

Question 2

A patient with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. Which assessment finding indicates magnesium toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute

Answer

Respiratory depression (rate <12) is a key sign of magnesium toxicity; the antidote calcium gluconate should be administered immediately to reverse the toxicity.

Question 3

A patient at 38 weeks gestation has HELLP syndrome. Which laboratory finding is characteristic of this condition?

Accepted Answer

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets

Answer

HELLP syndrome is defined by its acronym: Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes (AST/ALT), and Low Platelets (<100,000/mcL), representing a severe variant of preeclampsia.

Question 4

A patient is admitted with suspected placenta previa at 32 weeks gestation. She is experiencing bright red, painless vaginal bleeding. Which assessment is CONTRAINDICATED?

Accepted Answer

Digital vaginal examination

Answer

Digital vaginal examination is absolutely contraindicated in placenta previa because it can disrupt the placenta and cause catastrophic hemorrhage; diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound.

Question 5

A patient develops disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) following placental abruption. Which laboratory result is consistent with DIC?

Accepted Answer

Decreased fibrinogen, prolonged PT and aPTT, elevated D-dimer

Answer

DIC causes simultaneous clotting and bleeding, consuming clotting factors and platelets, resulting in low fibrinogen, prolonged PT/aPTT, elevated D-dimer, and thrombocytopenia.

Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Practice Test

Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Practice Test

Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Maternal Complications