Chapter 25 Pregnancy-Related Complications

Chapter 25  Pregnancy-Related Complications

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The perinatal nurse is giving discharge instructions to a woman, status post suction and

curettage secondary to a hydatidiform mole. The woman asks why she must take oral
contraceptives for the next 12 months. The best response from the nurse is
a. “If you get pregnant within 1 year, the chance of a successful pregnancy is very

small. Therefore, if you desire a future pregnancy, it would be better for you to use
the most reliable method of contraception available.”

b. “The major risk to you after a molar pregnancy is a type of cancer that can be
diagnosed only by measuring the same hormone that your body produces during
pregnancy. If you were to get pregnant, it would make the diagnosis of this cancer
more difficult.”

c. “If you can avoid a pregnancy for the next year, the chance of developing a second
molar pregnancy is rare. Therefore, to improve your chance of a successful
pregnancy, it is better not to get pregnant at this time.”

d. “Oral contraceptives are the only form of birth control that will prevent a
recurrence of a molar pregnancy.”

ANS: B
Beta-hCG levels will be drawn for 1 year to ensure that the mole is completely gone. There
is an increased chance of developing choriocarcinoma after the development of a
hydatidiform mole. The goal is to achieve a “zero” hCG level. If the woman were to become
pregnant, it may obscure the presence of the potentially carcinogenic cells. Any
contraceptive method except an IUD is acceptable.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding
REF: p. 528 OBJ: Integrated Process: Teaching-Learning
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity

2. Which maternal condition always necessitates delivery by cesarean section?

a. Partial abruptio placentae
b. Total placenta previa
c. Ectopic pregnancy
d. Eclampsia

ANS: B
In total placenta previa, the placenta completely covers the cervical os. The fetus would die
if a vaginal delivery occurred. In a partial abruptio placentae, if the mother has stable vital
signs and the fetus is alive, a vaginal delivery can be attempted. If the fetus has died, a
vaginal delivery is preferred. The most common ectopic pregnancy is a tubal pregnancy,
which is usually detected and treated in the first trimester. Labor can be safely induced if the
eclampsia is under control.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 531 OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity

3. The nursing student learns that spontaneous termination of a pregnancy is considered to be

an abortion if
a. the pregnancy is less than 20 weeks.
b. the fetus weighs less than 1000 g.
c. the products of conception are passed intact.
d. no evidence exists of intrauterine infection.

ANS: A
An abortion is the termination of pregnancy before the age of viability (20 weeks). The
weight of a fetus is not considered because some fetuses of an older age may have a low
birth weight. A spontaneous abortion may be complete or incomplete. A spontaneous
abortion may be caused by many problems, one being intrauterine infection.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 523 OBJ: Integrated Process: Teaching-Learning
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance

4. An abortion in which the fetus dies but is retained in the uterus is called ________ abortion.

a. inevitable
b. missed
c. incomplete
d. threatened

ANS: B
Missed abortion refers to a dead fetus being retained in the uterus. An inevitable abortion
means that the cervix is dilating with the contractions. An incomplete abortion means that
not all of the products of conception were expelled. With a threatened abortion the woman
has cramping and bleeding but not cervical dilation.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 524 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity

5. A placenta previa in which the placental edge just reaches the internal os is called

a. total.
b. partial.
c. complete.
d. marginal.

ANS: D
A placenta previa that does not cover any part of the cervix is termed marginal. With a total
placenta previa the placenta completely covers the os. With a partial previa the lower border
of the placenta is within 3 cm of the internal cervical os but does not completely cover the
os. A complete previa is termed total. The placenta completely covers the internal cervical
os.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 529 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity