A nurse is caring for a client during an initial prenatal visit. The client's last menstrual period was 18 weeks ago. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take? (Select All that Apply.)
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A rationale Calculating the estimated date of birth (EDB) is a fundamental component of the initial prenatal visit. Given the last menstrual period (LMP) was 18 weeks ago, using Naegele's rule (LMP minus 3 months plus 7 days) or a gestational wheel provides an approximate due date, crucial for planning prenatal care and monitoring fetal development. Choice B rationale Obtaining the client's personal and family medical history is vital for comprehensive prenatal care. This includes identifying pre-existing conditions, genetic predispositions, and potential risks that could affect the pregnancy, such as diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of chromosomal abnormalities, allowing for early intervention and personalized care. Choice C rationale Gathering information about prior pregnancies, including outcomes, complications, and types of deliveries, provides valuable insight into the client's obstetric history. This helps in identifying potential recurrent issues, assessing risk factors for current pregnancy complications, and tailoring a care plan based on past experiences and previous uterine healing. Choice D rationale Checking the client's urine with a reagent strip is a standard procedure at initial and subsequent prenatal visits. This screening tool detects proteinuria, glucosuria, ketonuria, and signs of urinary tract infections, which can impact maternal and fetal health. For example, proteinuria may indicate preeclampsia, while glucosuria suggests gestational diabetes. Choice E rationale Scheduling the client for prenatal laboratory testing is essential for baseline assessment and screening for various conditions. This typically includes blood type and Rh factor, complete blood count (CBC), rubella titer, hepatitis B screen, syphilis screen, HIV testing, and sometimes genetic screening tests, all crucial for managing pregnancy and fetal health. Choice F rationale Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a diagnostic procedure typically performed between 10 and 13 weeks of gestation to detect chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders. Given the client's last menstrual period was 18 weeks ago, this gestational age falls outside the recommended window for CVS, making it an inappropriate discussion point at this stage. .