Jinmei, a 28-year-old pregnant female at 36 weeks’ gestation, presents to the labor and delivery unit with complaints of abdominal discomfort and irregular contractions. She is a gravida 2, para 1, with a history of a vaginal delivery. Jinmei reports no significant medical history or complications during this pregnancy. Jinmei reports experiencing intermittent abdominal discomfort for the past few hours, which she describes as different from her previous pregnancy. She denies any vaginal bleeding, rupture of membranes, or significant changes in fetal movement. The discomfort is not relieved by rest. Jinmei expresses concerns about the well-being of her baby and requests a thorough evaluation. Jinmei's previous pregnancy resulted in a vaginal delivery without complications. She has not experienced any gestational diabetes, hypertension, or other significant medical issues. Her prenatal course during this pregnancy has been uneventful, with regular prenatal checkups and normal fetal ultrasound scans. Her vital signs are as follows: blood pressure: 120/78 mm Hg, heart rate: 88 bpm, respiratory rate: 18 breaths per minute, and temperature: 98.6° F (37° C).
1 .
Jinmei describes the abdominal discomfort as different from her previous pregnancy. How would a nurse analyze this information, and what hypotheses might you generate regarding the possible causes of her discomfort?
2 .
Jinmei requests a thorough evaluation. What solutions can a nurse offer to address her concerns and provide a comprehensive assessment of fetal well-being, and how might the nurse involve her in the decision-making process?