The pituitary hormone that stimulates the secretion of milk from the mammary glands is:
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Solution
Prolactin.
Prolactin is the hormone from the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates mammary gland secretion. Oxytocin, a posterior pituitary hormone, stimulates the uterine musculature to contract and causes the “let down” reflex.
The nurse teaches a pregnant woman to avoid lying on her back. The nurse has based this statement on the knowledge that the supine position can:
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Solution
Cause decreased placental perfusion.
This is because the impedance of venous return by the gravid uterus, which causes hypotension and decreased systemic perfusion.
At a prenatal visit at 36 weeks’ gestation, a client complains of discomfort with irregularly occurring contractions. The nurse instructs the client to:
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Solution
Walk around until they subside.
Ambulation relieves Braxton Hicks.
A 26-year old multigravida is 14 weeks’ pregnant and is scheduled for an alpha-fetoprotein test. She asks the nurse, “What does the alpha-fetoprotein test indicate?” The nurse bases a response on the knowledge that this test can detect:
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Solution
Neural tube defects.
The alpha-fetoprotein test detects neural tube defects and Down syndrome.
When involved in prenatal teaching, the nurse should advise the clients that an increase in vaginal secretions during pregnancy is called leukorrhea and is caused by increased:
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Solution
Production of estrogen.
The increase of estrogen during pregnancy causes hyperplasia of the vaginal mucosa, which leads to increased production of mucus by the endocervical glands. The mucus contains exfoliated epithelial cells.
During a prenatal examination, the nurse draws blood from a young Rh negative client and explain that an indirect Coombs test will be performed to predict whether the fetus is at risk for:
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Solution
Acute hemolytic disease.
When an Rh negative mother carries an Rh positive fetus there is a risk for maternal antibodies against Rh-positive blood; antibodies cross the placenta and destroy the fetal RBC’s.
Nutritional planning for a newly pregnant woman of average height and weighing 145 pounds should include:
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Solution
An increase of 300 calories a day.
This is the recommended caloric increase for adult women to meet the increased metabolic demands of pregnancy.
An expected cardiopulmonary adaptation experienced by most pregnant women is:
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Solution
Shortness of breath on exertion.
This is an expected cardiopulmonary adaptation during pregnancy; it is caused by an increased ventricular rate and elevated diaphragm.
A pregnant client is making her first Antepartum visit. She has a two year old son born at 40 weeks, a 5 year old daughter born at 38 weeks, and 7 year old twin daughters born at 35 weeks. She had a spontaneous abortion 3 years ago at 10 weeks. Using the GTPAL format, the nurse should identify that the client is:
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Solution
G5 T2 P1 A1 L4.
5 pregnancies; 2 term births; twins count as 1; one abortion; 4 living children.
The nurse is aware than an adaptation of pregnancy is an increased blood supply to the pelvic region that results in a purplish discoloration of the vaginal mucosa, which is known as:
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Solution
Chadwick’s sign.
A purplish color results from the increased vascularity and blood vessel engorgement of the vagina.