Maternity Nursing Q 108
When preparing the mother who is in her 4th month of pregnancy for an abdominal ultrasound, the nurse should instruct her to:
A. Observe NPO from midnight to avoid vomiting.
B. Do perineal flushing properly before the procedure.
C. Drink at least 2 liters of fluid 2 hours before the procedure and not void until the procedure is done.
D. Void immediately before the procedure for better visualization.
Correct Answer: C. Drink at least 2 liters of fluid 2 hours before the procedure and not void until the procedure is done.
Drinking at least 2 liters of water 2 hours before the procedure will result in a distended bladder. A full bladder is needed when doing an abdominal ultrasound to serve as a “window” for the ultrasonic sound waves to pass through and allow visualization of the uterus (located behind the urinary bladder).
Option A: Eat a low-fat dinner on the evening before the examination- (no fried, fatty or greasy foods and no dairy products) and nothing to eat or drink for 12 hours prior to the appointment.
Option B: There is no need for perineal flushing. The sonographer gently presses the transducer against the stomach area, moving it back and forth. The device sends signals to a computer, which creates images that show how blood flows through the structures in the abdomen.
Option D: Food and liquids in the stomach (and urine in the bladder) can make it difficult for the technician to get a clear picture of the structures in the abdomen.