Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 78%
Full-length
Passage / Scenario
HistoryLabor and Delivery Unit
Admission: The client, gravida 1 para 0, at 16 weeks gestation with a twin pregnancy reports nausea and vomiting for the past
several weeks. The client also reports dry heaving, increasing weakness, light-headedness, and an inability to tolerate
oral intake for the past 24 hours. In addition, the client has had occasional right-sided, shooting pain from the abdomen
to the groin that occurs with sudden position changes. The pain quickly resolves without intervention per the client's
report. She has had no contractions or vaginal bleeding and has felt no fetal movement during this pregnancy. The
client has a history of childhood asthma and is currently taking no asthma medications. The client reports no other
pregnancy complications.
Physical
Prepregnancy,12 Weeks Gestation 16 Weeks Gestation(Prenatal Visit),(Labor and Delivery Admission)
Height ,5 ft 5 in (165.1 cm),5 ft 5 in (165.1 cm)|, 5 ft 5 in (165.1 cm)
Weight, 145 lb (65.8 kg),148 lb (67.1 kg),138 lb (62.6 kg)
BMI, 24.1 kg/m2, 24.6 kg/m2,23.0 kg/m2
Vital Signs
12 Weeks Gestation(Prenatal Visit),16 Weeks Gestation(Labor and Delivery Admission)
T,98.7 F (37.1 C),99.8 F (37.7 C)
P,70,101
RR,14,18
BP,122/78,90/55
SpO2,99% on room air,96% on room air
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range, 16 Weeks Gestation
Blood Chemistry.
Sodium
136-145 mEq/L
(136-145 mmol/L)|,
136 mEq/L
(136 mmol/L)
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
(3.5-5.0 mmol/L),
2.7 mEq/L
(2.7 mmol/L)
TSH
0.3-5.0 uU/mL
(0.3-5.0 mU/L),
0.4 pu/mL
(0.4 mU/L)
Hematology.
Hemoglobin (pregnant)
>11 g/dL
(>110 g/L),
16 g/dL
(160 g/L)
Hematocrit (pregnant)
>33%
(>0.33),
49%
(0.49)
Urinalysis
Specific gravity
1.005-1.030
1.030,
Ketones
Not present,
Present
Giucose
Not present,
Not present
Nitrites
Not present,
Not present
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Laboratory Results. The nurse suspects that the client may have hyperemesis gravidarum. Which of the following findings support this diagnosis? Select a that apply.
Correct answer
A,B,D,E
Rationale
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is characterized by severe, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and weight loss of 25% of
prepregnancy weight. The exact cause of HG is unknown, but it is believed that pregnancy-related increases in hormone levels (eg, human
chorionic gonadotropin [hCG]) contribute to the condition. Laboratory findings that assist with the diagnosis of HG include:
ÔÇó Elevated hematocrit level reflects hemoconcentration, which occurs due to dehydration from excessive vomiting and decreased fluid
intake (Option 1).
ÔÇó Hypokalemia occurs due to excessive loss of potassium via vomiting and/or insufficient intake of potassium (Option 2).
ÔÇó Ketonuria (ie, the presence of ketones in urine) results from the metabolism of fat for energy due to a lack of nutritional intake (Option
4).
ÔÇó High urine specific gravity reflects the concentration of urine; concentrated urine may indicate that the client's volume is depleted,
which is common in HG (Option 5).
prepregnancy weight. The exact cause of HG is unknown, but it is believed that pregnancy-related increases in hormone levels (eg, human
chorionic gonadotropin [hCG]) contribute to the condition. Laboratory findings that assist with the diagnosis of HG include:
ÔÇó Elevated hematocrit level reflects hemoconcentration, which occurs due to dehydration from excessive vomiting and decreased fluid
intake (Option 1).
ÔÇó Hypokalemia occurs due to excessive loss of potassium via vomiting and/or insufficient intake of potassium (Option 2).
ÔÇó Ketonuria (ie, the presence of ketones in urine) results from the metabolism of fat for energy due to a lack of nutritional intake (Option
4).
ÔÇó High urine specific gravity reflects the concentration of urine; concentrated urine may indicate that the client's volume is depleted,
which is common in HG (Option 5).