1. The nursing student is preparing to teach a prenatal class about fetal circulation. Which statement should be included in the teaching plan? 1. “One artery carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.” 2. “Two arteries carry oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.” 3. “Two arteries carry deoxygenated blood and waste products away from the fetus to the placenta.” 4. “Two veins carry blood that is high in carbon dioxide and other waste products away from the fetus to the placenta.” Rationale: Blood pumped by the embryo’s heart leaves the embryo through two umbilical arteries. When oxygenated, the blood is returned by one umbilical vein. Arteries carry deoxygenated blood and waste products from the fetus, and the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood and provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. 2. A pregnant client tells the clinic nurse that she wants to know the gender of her baby as soon as it can be determined. The nurse understands that the client should be able to find out the gender at 12 weeks’ gestation because of which factor? 1. The appearance of the fetal external genitalia 2. The beginning of differentiation in the fetal groin 3. The fetal testes are descended into the scrotal sac 4. The internal differences in males and females become apparent Rationale: By the end of the twelfth week, the external genitalia of the fetus have developed to such a degree that the gender of the fetus can be determined visually. Differentiation of the external genitalia occurs at the end of the ninth week. Testes descend into the scrotal sac at the end of the thirty-eighth week. Internal differences in the male and female occur at the end of the seventh week. 3. The nurse is performing an assessment on a client who is at 38 weeks’ gestation and notes that the fetal heart rate is 174 beats/minute. On the basis of this finding, what is the priority nursing action? 1. Document the finding. 2. Check the mother’s heart rate. 3. Notify the health care provider (HCP). 4. Tell the client that the fetal heart rate is normal. Rationale: The fetal heart rate (FHR) depends on gestational age and ranges from 160 to 170 beats/minute in the first trimester, but slows with fetal growth to 110 to 160 beats/minute near or at term. At or near term, if the FHR is less than 110 beats/minute or more than 160 beats/minute with the uterus at rest, the fetus may be in distress. Because the FHR is increased from the reference range, the nurse should notify the HCP. Options 2 and 4 are inappropriate actions based on the information in the question. Although the nurse documents the findings, based on the information in the question, the HCP needs to be notified. 4. The nurse is performing an assessment of a pregnant client who is at 28 weeks of gestation. The nurse measures the fundal height in centimeters and expects which finding? 1. 22 cm 2. 30 cm 3. 36 cm 4. 40 cm 2 Rationale: During the second and third trimesters (weeks 18 to 30), fundal height in centimeters approximately equals the fetus’ age in weeks ±2 cm. At 16 weeks, the fundus can be located halfway between the symphysis pubis and the umbilicus. At 20 to 22 weeks, the fundus is at the umbilicus. At 36 weeks, the fundus is at the xiphoid process. 5. The nurse is assisting in performing an assessment on a client who suspects that she is pregnant and is checking the client for probable signs of pregnancy. Which are probable signs of pregnancy? Select all that apply. 1. Ballottement 2. Chadwick’s sign 3. Uterine enlargement 4. Braxton Hicks contractions 5. Fetal heart rate detected by a nonelectronic device 6. Outline of fetus via radiography or ultrasonography 1, 2, 3, 4 Rationale: The probable signs of pregnancy include uterine enlargement, Hegar’s sign (compressibility and softening of the lower uterine segment that occurs at about week 6), Goodell’s sign (softening of the cervix that occurs at the beginning of the second month), Chadwick’s sign (violet coloration of the mucous membranes of the cervix, vagina, and vulva that occurs at about week 4), ballottement (rebounding of the fetus against the examiner’s fingers on palpation), Braxton Hicks contractions, and a positive pregnancy test for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin. Positive signs of pregnancy include fetal heart rate detected by electronic device (Doppler transducer) at 10 to 12 weeks and by nonelectronic device (fetoscope) at 20 weeks of gestation, active fetal movements palpable by the examiner, and an outline of the fetus by radiography or ultrasonography. 6. The nurse is providing instructions to a pregnant client with genital herpes about the measures that are needed to protect the fetus. Which instruction should the nurse provide to the client? 1. Total abstinence from sexual intercourse is necessary during the entire pregnancy. 2. Sitz baths need to be taken every 4 hours while awake if vaginal lesions are present. 3. Daily administration of acyclovir (Zovirax) is necessary during the entire pregnancy. 4. A cesarean section will be necessary if vaginal lesions are present at the time of labor