Perry - Chapter 1 Flashcards
When providing care for a pregnant woman, the nurse should be aware that one of the most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors is:
a. Diabetes mellitus. c. Chronic hypertension.
b. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP). d. Anemia.
ANS: A
The most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors are diabetes and hypertension associated with pregnancy. Both of these conditions are associated with maternal obesity. There are no studies that indicate MVP is among the most frequently reported maternal risk factors. Hypertension associated with pregnancy, not chronic hypertension, is one of the most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors. Although anemia is a concern in pregnancy, it is not one of the most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors in pregnancy.
To ensure optimal outcomes for the patient, the contemporary maternity nurse must incorporate both teamwork and communication with clinicians into her care delivery, The SBAR technique of communication is an easy-to-remember mechanism for communication. Which of the following correctly defines this acronym?
a. Situation, baseline assessment, response
b. Situation, background, assessment, recommendation
c. Subjective background, assessment, recommendation
d. Situation, background, anticipated recommendation
ANS: B
The situation, background, assessment, recommendation (SBAR) technique provides a specific framework for communication among health care providers. Failure to communicate is one of the major reasons for errors in health care. The SBAR technique has the potential to serve as a means to reduce errors.
The role of the professional nurse caring for childbearing families has evolved to emphasize:
a. Providing care to patients directly at the bedside.
b. Primarily hospital care of maternity patients.
c. Practice using an evidence-based approach.
d. Planning patient care to cover longer hospital stays.
ANS: C
Professional nurses are part of the team of health care providers who collaboratively care for patients throughout the childbearing cycle. Providing care to patients directly at the bedside is one of the nurse’s tasks; however, it does not encompass the concept of the evolved professional nurse. Throughout the prenatal period, nurses care for women in clinics and physician’s offices and teach classes to help families prepare for childbirth. Nurses also care for childbearing families in birthing centers and in the home. Nurses have been critically important in developing strategies to improve the well-being of women and their infants and have led the efforts to implement clinical practice guidelines using an evidence-based approach. Maternity patients have experienced a decreased, rather than an increased, length of stay over the past 2 decades.
A 23-year-old African-American woman is pregnant with her first child. Based on the statistics for infant mortality, which plan is most important for the nurse to implement?
a. Perform a nutrition assessment.
b. Refer the woman to a social worker.
c. Advise the woman to see an obstetrician, not a midwife.
d. Explain to the woman the importance of keeping her prenatal care appointments.
ANS: D
Consistent prenatal care is the best method of preventing or controlling risk factors associated with infant mortality. Nutritional status is an important modifiable risk factor, but a nutrition assessment is not the most important action a nurse should take in this situation. The patient may need assistance from a social worker at some time during her pregnancy, but a referral to a social worker is not the most important aspect the nurse should address at this time. If the woman has identifiable high-risk problems, her health care may need to be provided by a physician. However, it cannot be assumed that all African-American women have high-risk issues. In addition, advising the woman to see an obstetrician is not the most important aspect on which the nurse should focus at this time, and it is not appropriate for a nurse to advise or manage the type of care a patient is to receive.
During a prenatal intake interview, the nurse is in the process of obtaining an initial assessment of a 21-year-old Hispanic patient with limited English proficiency. It is important for the nurse to:
a. Use maternity jargon in order for the patient to become familiar with these terms.
b. Speak quickly and efficiently to expedite the visit.
c. Provide the patient with handouts.
d. Assess whether the patient understands the discussion.
ANS: D
Nurses contribute to health literacy by using simple, common words; avoiding jargon; and evaluating whether the patient understands the discussion. Speaking slowly and clearly and focusing on what is important increase understanding. Most patient education materials are written at too high a level for the average adult and may not be useful for a client with limited English proficiency.
When managing health care for pregnant women at a prenatal clinic, the nurse should recognize that the most significant barrier to access to care is the pregnant woman’s:
a. Age. c. Educational level.
b. Minority status. d. Inability to pay.
ANS: D
The most significant barrier to health care access is the inability to pay for services; this is compounded by the fact that many physicians refuse to care for women who cannot pay. Although adolescent pregnant clients statistically receive less prenatal care, age is not the most significant barrier. Significant disparities in morbidity and mortality rates exist for minority women; however, minority status is not the most significant barrier to access of care. Disparities in educational level are associated with morbidity and mortality rates; however, educational level is not the most significant barrier to access of care.
What is the primary role of practicing nurses in the research process?
a. Designing research studies
b. Collecting data for other researchers
c. Identifying researchable problems
d. Seeking funding to support research studies
ANS: C
When problems are identified, research can be conducted properly. Research of health care issues leads to evidence-based practice guidelines. Designing research studies is only one factor of the research process. Data collection is one factor of research. Financial support is necessary to conduct research, but it is not the primary role of the nurse in the research process
When the nurse is unsure about how to perform a patient care procedure, the best action would be to:
a. Ask another nurse.
b. Discuss the procedure with the patient’s physician.
c. Look up the procedure in a nursing textbook.
d. Consult the agency procedure manual and follow the guidelines for the procedure.
ANS: D
It is always best to follow the agency’s policies and procedures manual when seeking information on correct patient procedures. These policies should reflect the current standards of care and state guidelines. Each nurse is responsible for her own practice. Relying on another nurse may not always be safe practice. Each nurse is obligated to follow the standards of care for safe client care delivery. Physicians are responsible for their own client care activity. Nurses may follow safe orders from physicians, but they are also responsible for the activities that they as nurses are to carry out. Information provided in a nursing textbook is basic information for general knowledge. Furthermore, the information in a textbook may not reflect the current standard of care or individual state or hospital policies.
From the nurse’s perspective, what measure should be the focus of the health care system to reduce the rate of infant mortality further?
a. Implementing programs to ensure women’s early participation in ongoing prenatal care
b. Increasing the length of stay in a hospital after vaginal birth from 2 to 3 days
c. Expanding the number of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
d. Mandating that all pregnant women receive care from an obstetrician
ANS: A
Early prenatal care allows for early diagnosis and appropriate interventions to reduce the rate of infant mortality. An increased length of stay has been shown to foster improved self-care and parental education. However, it does not prevent the incidence of leading causes of infant mortality rates, such as low birth weight. Early prevention and diagnosis reduce the rate of infant mortality. NICUs offer care to high-risk infants after they are born. Expanding the number of NICUs would offer better access for high-risk care, but this factor is not the primary focus for further reduction of infant mortality rates. A mandate that all pregnant women receive obstetric care would be nearly impossible to enforce. Furthermore, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) have demonstrated reliable, safe care for pregnant women.
Alternative and complementary therapies:
a. Replace conventional Western modalities of treatment.
b. Are used by only a small number of American adults.
c. Recognize the value of clients’ input into their health care.
d. Focus primarily on the disease an individual is experiencing.
ANS: C
Many popular alternative healing modalities offer human-centered care based on philosophies that recognize the value of the patient’s input and honor the individual’s beliefs, values, and desires. Alternative and complementary therapies are part of an integrative approach to health care. An increasing number of American adults are seeking alternative and complementary health care options. Alternative healing modalities offer an holistic approach to health, focusing on the whole person, not just the disease.
. A 38-year-old Hispanic woman delivered a 9-pound, 6-ounce girl vaginally after being in labor for 43 hours. The baby died 3 days later from sepsis. On what grounds would the woman potentially have a legitimate legal case for negligence?
a. She is Hispanic. c. The standards of care were not met.
b. She delivered a girl. d. She refused fetal monitoring.
ANS: C
Not meeting the standards of care is a legitimate factor for a case of negligence. The client’s race is not a factor for a case of negligence. The infant’s gender is not a factor for a case of negligence. Although fetal monitoring is the standard of care, the client has the right to refuse treatment. This refusal is not a case for negligence; however, informed consent should be properly obtained, and the client should sign an against medical advice form for refusal of any treatment that is within the standard of care.
A newly graduated nurse is attempting to understand the reason for increasing health care spending in the United States. Her research finds that these costs are much higher compared with other developed countries as a result of:
a. A higher rate of obesity among pregnant women.
b. Limited access to technology.
c. Increased usage of health care services along with lower prices.
d. Homogeneity of the population.
ANS: A
Health care is one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy. Currently, 17.4% of the gross domestic product is spent on health care. Higher spending in the United States compared with 12 other industrialized countries is related to higher prices and readily accessible technology along with greater obesity rates among women. More than one third of women in the United States are obese. Of the U.S. population, 16% is uninsured and has limited access to health care. Maternal morbidity and mortality are directly related to racial disparities.
The term used to describe legal and professional responsibility for practice for maternity nurses is:
a. Collegiality. c. Evaluation.
b. Ethics. d. Accountability.
ANS: D
Accountability refers to legal and professional responsibility for practice. Collegiality refers to a working relationship with one’s colleagues. Ethics refers to a code to guide practice. Evaluation refers to examination of the effectiveness of interventions in relation to expected outcomes.
Through the use of social media technology, nurses can link with other nurses who may share similar interests, insights about practice, and advocate for patients. The most concerning pitfall for nurses using this technology is:
a. Violation of patient privacy and confidentiality.
b. Institutions and colleagues may be cast in an unfavorable light.
c. Unintended negative consequences for using social media.
d. Lack of institutional policy governing online contact.
ANS: A
The most significant pitfall for nurses using this technology is the violation of patient privacy and confidentiality. Furthermore, institutions and colleagues can be cast in unfavorable lights with negative consequences for those posting information. Nursing students have been expelled from school and nurses have been fired or reprimanded by their Board of Nursing for injudicious posts. The American Nurses Association has published six principles for social networking and nurses. All institutions should have policies guiding the use of social media, and nurses should be familiar with these guidelines.
An important development that affects maternity nursing is integrative health care, which:
a. Seeks to provide the same health care for all racial and ethnic groups.
b. Blends complementary and alternative therapies with conventional Western treatment.
c. Focuses on the disease or condition rather than the background of the client.
d. Has been mandated by Congress.
ANS: B
Integrative health care tries to mix the old with the new at the discretion of the client and health care providers. Integrative health care is a blending of new and traditional practices. Integrative health care focuses on the whole person, not just the disease or condition. U.S. law supports complementary and alternative therapies but does not mandate them.
