The pregnant patient is in her 21st week of pregnancy and is ...

[jon_i]

The pregnant patient is in her 21st week of pregnancy and is planning a vacation with her family. She asks the nurse which method of travel would be recommended for her to use. How should the nurse respond? The safest method of travel is to:
 
  1. Take an automobile.
  2. Fly on an airplane.
  3. Travel by train.
  4. Not travel this late in pregnancy.

Question 2

The nurse is explaining the importance of fetal activity assessment to the patient. What should the nurse do to best reinforce the significance of fetal kick counting to the patient?
 
  1. Perform daily phone calls to the patient at work or home.
  2. Review the patient's written record of fetal movement at each visit.
  3. Ask the patient to remember to count the fetal movements.
  4. Explain the rationale for counting fetal movement to the patient.

[softEldritch]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Automobile travel does not allow for frequent enough movement.
Rationale 2: Airplane travel does not allow for frequent enough movement.
Rationale 3: In the latter half of pregnancy, frequent movement is recommended for pregnant women, both to increase comfort and to decrease venous pooling, which can lead to thrombophlebitis. The train allows the most movement for the traveling pregnant woman.
Rationale 4: It is not necessary to cease travel altogether.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Daily phone calls would take emphasis away from the importance of the patient's counting of fetal movement.
Rationale 2: Patients should be instructed to begin counting fetal movement between 24 and 28 weeks. A fetus that has been active and has a sudden decrease in movements could be conserving energy due to hypoxia. Movements are counted in a specified time period, such as for one hour after each meal, or beginning with arising in the morning.
Rationale 3: Writing down the count is more accurate than the patient's simply remembering. When the nurse examines the written record the patient has kept, it reinforces the importance of the record and improves the likelihood of continued record keeping.
Rationale 4: Knowing the reasons for the counting will increase understanding of the process but will not reinforce its significance of the task.

[jon_i]

Thank you

[softEldritch]

Happy to help you