Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms ( 5 Questions)
A client with gestational hypertension reports severe headache.
What should the nurse do first?
Administering acetaminophen may not address the underlying cause of the headache and may mask other symptoms.
A severe headache can be a sign of elevated blood pressure, which can lead to preeclampsia and other complications in pregnancy.
Assessing blood pressure is the first step to determine the severity of the condition and the need for further interventions.
Assessing for visual disturbances is not the first priority, although it can be a serious symptom of preeclampsia.
Assessing for proteinuria is not the first priority, although it can be a diagnostic criterion for preeclampsia.
The correct answer is choice B. Assess blood pressure. This is because a severe headache can be a sign of elevated blood pressure, which can lead to preeclampsia and other complications in pregnancy.
Assessing blood pressure is the first step to determine the severity of the condition and the need for further interventions.
Choice A is wrong because administering acetaminophen may not address the underlying cause of the headache and may mask other symptoms.
Choice C is wrong because assessing for visual disturbances is not the first priority, although it can be a serious symptom of preeclampsia.
Blood pressure should be assessed first to determine the risk of eclampsia and other adverse outcomes.
Choice D is wrong because assessing for proteinuria is not the first priority, although it can be a diagnostic criterion for preeclampsia.
Blood pressure should be assessed first to determine the severity of the condition and the need for further interventions.