The nurse is caring for the 30-weeks-pregnant client who is having contractions every 1½ to 2 minutes with spontaneous rupture of membranes 2 hours ago. Her cervix is 8 cm dilated and 100% effaced. The nurse determines that delivery is imminent. What intervention is the most important at this time?
- A. Administering a tocolytic agent
- B. Providing teaching information on premature infant care
- C. Notifying neonatology of the impending birth
- D. Preparing for a cesarean section birth
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most important intervention is to notify the neonatal team of the delivery because the team members will be needed for respiratory support and possible resuscitation. Tocolytic agents, such as nifedipine (Procardia), can be used for short-term intervention to slow down contractions and delay birth, but it is too late to administer a tocolytic agent. Teaching is important but is not appropriate at this time. A cesarean birth is indicated if there are other obstetrical needs.
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The nurse identifies which factor as contributing to the client's stress?
- A. Stable employment
- B. Supportive partner
- C. Financial concerns
- D. Regular prenatal visits
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Financial concerns are a common stressor during pregnancy, impacting the client's psychosocial well-being.
The nurse recognizes which symptom as a warning sign of preterm labor?
- A. Mild lower back pain
- B. Regular contractions before 37 weeks
- C. Increased appetite
- D. Frequent urination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regular contractions before 37 weeks are a key sign of preterm labor, requiring immediate medical attention.
The pregnant client presents with vaginal bleeding and increasing cramping. Her exam reveals that the cervical os is open. Which term should the nurse expect to see in the client’s chart notation to most accurately describe the client’s condition?
- A. Ectopic pregnancy
- B. Complete abortion
- C. Imminent abortion
- D. Incomplete abortion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In imminent abortion, the client’s bleeding and cramping increase and the cervix is open, which indicates that abortion is imminent or inevitable. In ectopic pregnancy, the pregnancy is outside of the uterus, and intervention is indicated to resolve the pregnancy. A complete abortion indicates that the contents of the pregnancy have been passed. In an incomplete abortion, a portion of the pregnancy has been expelled, and a portion remains in the uterus.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding of prenatal education?
- A. I should avoid all exercise during pregnancy.
- B. I need to attend prenatal visits only in the third trimester.
- C. I should report any decrease in fetal movement.
- D. I can consume alcohol in moderation after the first trimester.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reporting decreased fetal movement is critical, as it may indicate fetal distress, showing the client understands key prenatal education.
While assessing the postpartum client who is 10 hours post—vaginal delivery, the nurse notes a perineal pad that is totally saturated. To determine the significance of this finding, which question should the nurse ask the client first?
- A. “How often are you experiencing uterine cramping?”
- B. “When was the last time you changed your peri-pad?”
- C. “Are you having any bladder urgency or frequency?”
- D. “Did you pass clots that required changing your peri-pad?”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Once the nurse has determined the length of time the pad has been in place, the nurse could decide if asking about uterine cramping is appropriate. The amount of lochia on a perineal pad is influenced by the individual client’s pad changing practices. Thus, the nurse should ask about the length of time the current pad has been in place before making a judgment about whether the amount is concerning. Although bladder incontinence could cause pad saturation, it is more important to ask about the length of time the pad has been in place. Based on the client’s answer, the nurse could decide if asking about bladder urgency or frequency needs further assessment. Passing clots may require more frequent pad change, but first the nurse should determine if the reason for the saturated pad is the length of time it has been in place.