Question

A nurse is assessing a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation during a weekly prenatal visit. What findings should the nurse report to the provider?

a) Fetal heart rate of 140 bpm
b) Fundal height at the umbilicus
c) Weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lbs) in the past month
d) Presence of edema in the lower extremities

Answer 1

The nurse should report the fetal heart rate, fundal height, and presence of edema in the lower extremities to the provider.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should report the following findings to the provider:

• Fetal heart rate of 140 bpm: A normal fetal heart rate at 38 weeks of gestation is between 110 and 160 bpm, so a heart rate of 140 bpm is within the normal range.
• Fundal height at the umbilicus: Fundal height is used to estimate fetal growth and should be around the same number of weeks as the gestation. At 38 weeks, the fundal height should be around 38 cm, which is near the umbilicus.
• Presence of edema in the lower extremities: Edema, or swelling, in the lower extremities can be a sign of preeclampsia, a condition that requires further evaluation and management.

The nurse should not be concerned about the weight gain of 1 kg in the past month, as weight gain during pregnancy can vary and this amount is within a normal range.