A pregnant client at 32 weeks' gestation is admitted to the obstetrical unit for observation after a motor vehicle crash. When the client begins experiencing slight vaginal bleeding and mild cramps, which action should the nurse take to support the viability of the fetus?
- A. Insert an intravenous line and begin an infusion at 125 mL per hour.
- B. Administer oxygen to the woman via a face mask at 7 to 10 L per minute.
- C. Position and connect the ultrasound transducer to the external fetal monitor.
- D. Position and connect a spiral electrode to the fetal monitor for internal fetal monitoring.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: External fetal monitoring will allow the nurse to determine any change in the fetal heart rate and rhythm that would indicate that the fetus is in jeopardy. The amount of bleeding described is insufficient to require intravenous fluid replacement. Because fetal distress has not been determined at this time, oxygen administration is premature. Internal monitoring is contraindicated when there is vaginal bleeding, especially in preterm labor.
You may also like to solve these questions
A client, admitted to the hospital for evaluation of recurrent runs of ventricular tachycardia, is scheduled for electrophysiology studies (EPS). Which statement should the nurse include in a teaching plan for this client?
- A. You will continue to take your medications until the morning of the test.
- B. You will be sedated during the procedure and will not remember what has happened.
- C. This test is a noninvasive method of determining the effectiveness of your medication regimen.
- D. The test uses a special wire to increase the heart rate and produce the irregular beats that cause your signs and symptoms.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The purpose of EPS is to study the heart's electrical system. During this invasive procedure, a special wire is introduced into the heart to produce dysrhythmias. To prepare for this procedure, the client should be NPO for 6 to 8 hours before the test, and all antidysrhythmics are held for at least 24 hours before the test to study the dysrhythmias without the influence of medications. Because the client's verbal responses to the rhythm changes are extremely important, sedation is avoided if possible.
A client who underwent surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is 1 day postoperative. The nurse performs an abdominal assessment and notes the absence of bowel sounds. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Start the client on sips of water.
- B. Remove the nasogastric (NG) tube.
- C. Call the primary health care provider immediately.
- D. Document the finding and continue to assess for bowel sounds.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Bowel sounds may be absent for 3 to 4 postoperative days because of bowel manipulation during surgery. The nurse should document the finding and continue to monitor the client. The NG tube should stay in place if present, and the client is kept NPO until after the onset of bowel sounds. Additionally, the nurse does not remove the tube without a prescription to do so. There is no need to call the primary health care provider immediately at this time.
The nurse is ambulating a client for the first time after having abdominal surgery. What clinical manifestations should indicate to the nurse that the client may be experiencing orthostatic hypotension? Select all that apply.
- A. Nausea
- B. Dizziness
- C. Bradycardia
- D. Lightheadedness
- E. Flushing of the face
- F. Reports of seeing spots
Correct Answer: A,B,D,F
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension occurs when a normotensive person develops symptoms of low blood pressure when rising to an upright position. Whenever the nurse gets a client up and out of a bed or chair, there is a risk for orthostatic hypotension. Symptoms of nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, tachycardia, pallor, and reports of seeing spots are characteristic of orthostatic hypotension. A drop of approximately 15 mm Hg in the systolic blood pressure and 10 mm Hg in the diastolic blood pressure also occurs. Fainting can result without intervention, which includes immediately assisting the client to a lying position.
The nurse evaluates the patency of a peripheral intravenous (IV) site and suspects an infiltration. Which action should the nurse take to determine if the IV has infiltrated?
- A. Strip the tubing and assess for a blood return.
- B. Check the regional tissue for redness and warmth.
- C. Increase the infusion rate and observe for swelling.
- D. Gently palpate regional tissue for edema and coolness.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When assessing an IV for clinical indicators of infiltration, it is important to assess the site for edema and coolness, signifying leakage of the IV fluid into the surrounding tissues. Stripping the tubing will not cause a blood return but will force IV fluid into the surrounding tissues, which can increase the risk of tissue damage. Redness and warmth are more likely to indicate infection or phlebitis.
The nurse is performing an assessment on a postterm infant. Which physical characteristic should the nurse expect to observe in this infant?
- A. Peeling of the skin
- B. Smooth soles without creases
- C. Lanugo covering the entire body
- D. Vernix that covers the body in a thick layer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The postterm infant (born after the 42nd week of gestation) exhibits dry, peeling, cracked, almost leather-like skin over the body, which is called desquamation. The preterm infant (born between 24 and 37 weeks of gestation) exhibits smooth soles without creases, lanugo covering the entire body, and thick vernix covering the body.