Author Question: The nurse has received an end of shift report in the high-risk maternity unit. Which patient should ... (Read 96 times)

luminitza · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

The nurse has received an end of shift report in the high-risk maternity unit. Which patient should the nurse see first?

1. 26 weeks' gestation with placenta previa experiencing blood on toilet tissue after a bowel movement
2. 30 weeks' gestation with placenta previa whose fetal monitor strip shows late decelerations
3. 35 weeks' gestation with grade I abruptio placentae in labor who has a strong urge to push
4. 37 weeks' gestation with pregnancy-induced hypertension whose membranes ruptured spontaneously

Question 2

The nurse is planning an in-service educational program to talk about disseminating intravascular coagulation (DIC). The nurse should identify which of the following as risk factors for developing DIC?

1. Diabetes mellitus
2. Abruptio placentae
3. Prolonged retention of a fetus after demise
4. Multiparity
5. Preterm labor

dpost18 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Bleeding with a placenta previa is a complication that can be life-threatening to both the mother and baby. This patient is the highest priority.
Rationale 2: Late decelerations are an abnormal finding, but put only the fetus at risk. This patient is not the highest priority.
Rationale 3: Grade I abruptio placentae creates slight vaginal bleeding. The urge to push indicates that delivery is near. This patient is not the highest priority.
Rationale 4: Although pregnancy-induced hypertension puts a woman at risk for developing abruptio placentae, there is no indication that this patient is experiencing this complication. This patient is not the highest priority.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2,3
Rationale 1: Diabetes, multiparity, and preterm labor do not cause the same release of thromboplastin that triggers DIC.
Rationale 2: Abruptio placentae leave intrauterine arteries open and bleeding. This results in release of thromboplastin into the maternal blood supply and triggers the development of DIC. In prolonged retention of the fetus after demise, thromboplastin is released from the degenerating fetal tissues into the maternal bloodstream, which activates the extrinsic clotting system. This triggers the formation of multiple tiny clots, which deplete the fibrinogen and factors V and VII, and result in DIC.
Rationale 3: Abruptio placentae leave intrauterine arteries open and bleeding. This results in release of thromboplastin into the maternal blood supply and triggers the development of DIC. In prolonged retention of the fetus after demise, thromboplastin is released from the degenerating fetal tissues into the maternal bloodstream, which activates the extrinsic clotting system. This triggers the formation of multiple tiny clots, which deplete the fibrinogen and factors V and VII, and result in DIC.
Rationale 4: Diabetes, multiparity, and preterm labor do not cause the same release of thromboplastin that triggers DIC.
Rationale 5: Diabetes, multiparity, and preterm labor do not cause the same release of thromboplastin that triggers DIC.