Question

The nurse in the prenatal clinic assesses a client at 31 weeks gestation. The client's BP is 150/96, edema of the face and hands is noted, 3+ protein in the urine, and serum albumin level is 3 gm/dL. Which of the following instructions by the nurse is MOST important?

A. Increase sodium intake
B. Continue with the current prenatal vitamins
C. Report any decrease in fetal movement
D. Immediately go to the labor and delivery unit

Answer 1

The most important instruction for the nurse to give the client is to immediately go to the labor and delivery unit. Prompt medical attention is necessary to manage preeclampsia and prevent complications for both the client and the fetus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse in the prenatal clinic is assessing a client at 31 weeks gestation with high blood pressure (BP), edema, protein in the urine, and low serum albumin level. These symptoms indicate the presence of preeclampsia, a serious condition in pregnancy characterized by high BP and organ damage. The most important instruction for the nurse to give the client is to immediately go to the labor and delivery unit. Prompt medical attention is necessary to manage preeclampsia and prevent complications for both the client and the fetus.