Question

A nurse is caring for a client following an amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as a potential complication?

a) Mild cramping
b) Clear amniotic fluid
c) Fetal heart rate of 150 beats per minute
d) Blood-streaked vaginal discharge

Answer 1

A nurse should report blood-streaked vaginal discharge as a potential complication following an amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation, as it may indicate bleeding, infection, or damage to the uterus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The findings a nurse should report to the provider as a potential complication following an amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation is d) Blood-streaked vaginal discharge. While mild cramping and a clear amniotic fluid are normal post-procedure observations, and a fetal heart rate of 150 beats per minute is within the normal range for a fetus at this stage of gestation, the presence of blood-streaked vaginal discharge may signal a potential complication such as bleeding, infection, or damage to the uterus or surrounding structures and needs to be evaluated by the healthcare provider immediately.