Nokea
A laboring patient states to the nurse, "I have to push!” What is the next nursing action?
- A. Contact the health care provider.
- B. Examine the patient’s cervix for dilation.
- C. Review with her how to bear down with contractions.
- D. Ask her partner to support her head with each push.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Examining the patient's cervix for dilation is the next nursing action because it will help determine the progress of labor and assess if it is safe for the patient to push. Contacting the health care provider (choice A) may delay necessary interventions. Reviewing how to bear down (choice C) is important but assessing cervical dilation takes precedence. Asking the partner to support her head (choice D) is not a priority in this situation.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which physiologic event is the key indicator of the commencement of true labor?
- A. Bloody show
- B. Cervical dilation and effacement
- C. Fetal descent into the pelvic inlet
- D. Uterine contractions every 7 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cervical dilation and effacement. This is the key indicator of true labor as it signifies the physiological changes needed for the cervix to open and thin out, allowing the baby to pass through the birth canal. Bloody show (A) can be present in early labor but is not a definitive sign. Fetal descent (C) and regular uterine contractions (D) are important, but cervical changes are the most reliable indicator of true labor initiation.
When caring for a woman with a complete placenta previa, which finding should the nurse report to the physician?
- A. BP of 95/60
- B. Temperature of 100.1°F
- C. Urine output of 40 mL/hour
- D. O2 saturation less that 95%
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: O2 saturation less than 95%. In placenta previa, the placenta covers the cervix, increasing the risk of bleeding. Decreased oxygen saturation can indicate poor perfusion due to bleeding, necessitating immediate medical attention. A: BP of 95/60 is relatively normal and not an urgent concern in this scenario. B: Temperature of 100.1°F may indicate an infection but is not directly related to placenta previa. C: Urine output of 40 mL/hour is within the normal range and does not directly impact the management of placenta previa.
When does the second stage of labor begin?
- A. at birth
- B. when the early phase ends
- C. when the cervix is completely dilated and effaced
- D. when pushing begins
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the second stage of labor begins when the mother starts pushing to deliver the baby. This stage involves the actual delivery of the baby and ends with the birth. The other choices are incorrect because:
A: Labor begins before the second stage.
B: The early phase is part of the first stage of labor.
C: Full dilation and effacement mark the transition between the first and second stages but pushing is when the second stage actually begins.
A 29-year-old gravida 1, para 0 woman who is 35 weeks pregnant is admitted to the labor and delivery unit. She states that there is fluid leaking from her vagina but she is not sure if it is urine. What should the nurse do to make the determination?
- A. A nitrazine test is the most conclusive test.
- B. Nitrazine paper changes from yellow to dark blue due to the acidic nature of amniotic fluid.
- C. Ferning is more conclusive than nitrazine paper testing.
- D. Note if there is fluid leaking from the perineal area.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The nurse should perform a nitrazine test to determine if the fluid leaking is amniotic fluid. Here's the rationale:
1. Nitrazine test is specifically designed to differentiate amniotic fluid from urine.
2. Amniotic fluid is alkaline, causing the nitrazine paper to turn blue when it comes into contact with it.
3. Urine, on the other hand, does not change the color of the nitrazine paper.
4. This test is quick, easy to perform, and provides a conclusive result in differentiating amniotic fluid from other fluids.
In summary:
- Choice B incorrectly describes the color change mechanism of nitrazine paper.
- Choice C refers to ferning, which is not as conclusive as the nitrazine test.
- Choice D does not provide a definitive method for determining if the leaking fluid is amniotic fluid.
During the third stage of labor, what may the birthing person experience?
- A. expulsion of their fetus with vaginal bleeding
- B. cramping, gush of fresh vaginal bleeding, lengthening of the umbilical cord
- C. frequent episodes of dyspnea
- D. increased blood pressure and pain due to expulsive efforts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During the third stage of labor, the correct answer is B because it describes the typical experiences of the birthing person during this stage. Cramping signifies uterine contractions, a gush of fresh vaginal bleeding indicates the delivery of the placenta, and lengthening of the umbilical cord indicates separation from the placenta. The other options are incorrect as they do not align with the physiological processes of the third stage of labor. A is incorrect as the fetus is delivered in the second stage, not the third. C is incorrect as dyspnea (difficulty breathing) is not a common symptom during the third stage. D is incorrect as increased blood pressure and pain are not typical experiences during this stage.