Author Question: A client in the first trimester of pregnancy is concerned that the baby will be born with birth ... (Read 143 times)

rachel9 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A client in the first trimester of pregnancy is concerned that the baby will be born with birth defects since she was prescribed penicillin for dental work about the time she became pregnant. The nurse should instruct the client that:

1. Diagnostic tests can be done to check for birth defects.
2. The penicillin was used for such a short period of time that it probably will not affect the fetus.
3. Antibiotics do not affect the developing baby, so there is no need to be concerned. 4. Penicillin has no risks or minimal risks associated with it for the developing fetus.

Question 2

The experienced nurse is facing a nursing problem with a client that is different from anything encountered by the nurse in the past. The nurse considers taking the problem to the research committee to create a study but first plans to:

1. Search for projects already completed on the problem.
2. Ask the client if this is a recurring issue.
3. Ask the physician for assistance.
4. Bring the problem up for discussion in the next staff meeting.

beccamahon · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

4. Penicillin has no risks or minimal risks associated with it for the developing fetus.

Rationale:
The client is anxious about having taken a teratogenic agent during the period when she became pregnant. Penicillin is considered a category B drug, with no known harmful effects to animals and with minimal or no documented effects to humans. The nurse should explain that penicillin has no risks or minimal risks associated with it for the developing fetus. The nurse should not tell the client that diagnostic tests can be done to check for birth defects. The nurse should not minimize the client's concern by saying that penicillin used for such a short period of time or antibiotics do not affect the fetus; all drugs affect the developing baby, and the client should be concerned about it.

Answer to Question 2

1. Search for projects already completed on the problem.

Rationale:
Prior to beginning a research study, the problem is defined, and then a search is conducted of possible existing studies that have been completed. Asking the client if the problem is recurring will not help the nurse determine the course of care; it simply tells the nurse that the issue is a recurring one and may help the nurse to determine which projects to search. The physician is not consulted for nursing problems. A staff meeting may net some other opinions but will not give the nurse information regarding studies related to the client's problem.