Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 65%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted to the maternity unit at 38 weeks of gestation and who is experiencing polyhydramnios. The nurse should understand that this diagnosis means which of the following?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: An excessive amount of amniotic fluid is present. Polyhydramnios refers to the condition where there is an excessive amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. This can be due to various reasons such as gestational diabetes, fetal anomalies, or multiple gestations. The increased amniotic fluid can lead to complications such as preterm labor, placental abruption, or malpresentation of the fetus.
Choice A is incorrect as polyhydramnios does not necessarily indicate fetal anomalies, growth restriction, or fetal distress during labor. Choice B is incorrect as an elevated level of alpha-fetoprotein in the amniotic fluid is associated with neural tube defects, not polyhydramnios. Choice C is incorrect as polyhydramnios is not specific to carrying more than one fetus.
Choice A is incorrect as polyhydramnios does not necessarily indicate fetal anomalies, growth restriction, or fetal distress during labor. Choice B is incorrect as an elevated level of alpha-fetoprotein in the amniotic fluid is associated with neural tube defects, not polyhydramnios. Choice C is incorrect as polyhydramnios is not specific to carrying more than one fetus.