When performing an examination of a woman who is 34 weeks' ...

[maychende]

When performing an examination of a woman who is 34 weeks' pregnant, the nurse notices a midline linear protrusion in the abdomen over the area of the rectus abdominis muscles as the woman raises her head and shoulders off of the bed.
 
  Which response by the nurse is correct?
  a.
  The presence of diastasis recti should be documented.
  b.
  This condition should be discussed with the physician because it will most likely need to be surgically repaired.
  c.
  The possibility that the woman has a hernia attributable to the increased pressure within the abdomen from the pregnancy should be suspected.
  d.
  The woman should be told that she may have a difficult time with delivery because of the weakness in her abdominal muscles.

Question 2

The nurse is palpating the fundus of a pregnant woman. Which statement about palpation of the fundus is true?
 
  a. The fundus should be hard and slightly tender to palpation during the first trimester.
  b. Fetal movement may not be felt by the examiner until the end of the second trimester.
  c. After 20 weeks' gestation, the number of centimeters should approximate the number of weeks' gestation.
  d. Fundal height is usually less than the number of weeks' gestation, unless an abnormal condition such as excessive amniotic fluid is present.

[31809pancho]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The separation of the abdominal muscles is called diastasis recti and frequently occurs during pregnancy. The rectus abdominis muscles will return together after pregnancy with abdominal exercise. This condition is not a true hernia.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
After 20 weeks' gestation, the number of centimeters should approximate the number of weeks' gestation. In addition, at 20 weeks' gestation, the examiner may be able to feel fetal movement and the head can be balloted.