NCLEX Practice Test

Which client assignment is most appropriate for a nurse who is 10 weeks pregnant?

1. Client receiving brachytherapy for endometrial cancer

2. Client with an infected surgical wound positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

3. Client with a herpes zoster rash on the face and scalp

4. Client with pneumonia who recently traveled to a region with the Zika virus

The correct answer is: Client receiving brachytherapy for endometrial cancer

The most appropriate client assignment for a nurse who is 10 weeks pregnant is the client receiving brachytherapy for endometrial cancer. Brachytherapy involves the use of radioactive materials, which can pose risks to the nurse and potentially harm the developing fetus due to radiation exposure. However, when considering nursing assignments, it's crucial for the nurse to be cautious about exposure to infectious or teratogenic situations that could affect both their health and the pregnancy. The other scenarios involve higher risks of infection or exposure to diseases that could affect the nurse’s pregnancy. Clients with a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection require strict adherence to contact precautions, as the nurse would be at significant risk for infection, which could complicate a pregnancy. The client with a herpes zoster rash could also pose a risk due to the potential for exposure to varicella, particularly if the nurse is not immune. The client with pneumonia in a Zika virus-affected region presents concerns for travel-related diseases that could potentially impact the fetus, despite not being a direct infectious exposure. Therefore, the assignment involving brachytherapy, while it does have risks associated with radiation, is deemed the least hazardous for a pregnant nurse compared to the high infection risks