A client in active labor is being prepared for epidural analgesia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Have the client sit upright on the bed with legs crossed.
- B. Administer a 500 mL bolus of lactated Ringer's solution prior to induction.
- C. Inform the client that the anesthetic effect will last for approximately 2 hours.
- D. Obtain a 30-minute electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) strip prior to induction.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Obtain a 30-minute electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) strip prior to induction. This is important to assess the fetal well-being and baseline status before initiating epidural analgesia. It helps in detecting any fetal distress or abnormalities that may be exacerbated by the epidural.
A: Having the client sit upright with legs crossed is not recommended as it may interfere with the procedure and comfort of the client.
B: Administering a 500 mL bolus of lactated Ringer's solution is not directly related to preparing for epidural analgesia.
C: Informing the client about the duration of anesthetic effect is important, but ensuring fetal well-being through EFM monitoring is a priority before the procedure.
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A client who is at 40 weeks gestation and in active labor has 6 cm of cervical dilation and 100% cervical effacement. The client's blood pressure reading is 82/52 mm Hg. Which of the following nursing interventions should the nurse perform?
- A. Prepare for a cesarean birth.
- B. Assist the client to an upright position.
- C. Prepare for an immediate vaginal delivery.
- D. Assist the client to turn onto her side.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Assist the client to turn onto her side. This intervention is essential to improve blood flow to the placenta and fetus, thus helping to increase blood pressure and prevent hypotension. Turning the client onto her side can help relieve pressure on the vena cava, allowing for better circulation.
A: Preparing for a cesarean birth is not indicated based solely on the client's blood pressure reading.
B: Assisting the client to an upright position may worsen hypotension as it can further decrease blood flow to the placenta.
C: Preparing for an immediate vaginal delivery is not necessary solely based on the client's blood pressure reading.
A patient on the labor and delivery unit is having induction of labor with oxytocin administered through a secondary IV line. Uterine contractions occur every 2 minutes, last 90 seconds, and are strong to palpation. The baseline fetal heart rate is 150/min, with uniform decelerations beginning at the peak of the contraction and a return to baseline after the contraction is over. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Decrease the rate of infusion of the maintenance IV solution.
- B. Discontinue the infusion of the IV oxytocin.
- C. Increase the rate of infusion of the IV oxytocin.
- D. Slow the client's breathing rate.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Discontinue the infusion of the IV oxytocin. Decelerations starting at the peak of contractions indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, which can be caused by hyperstimulation from oxytocin. Stopping the oxytocin infusion will help alleviate this issue and improve fetal oxygenation. Choice A would not address the underlying cause of the decelerations. Choice C would worsen the hyperstimulation. Choice D is not directly related to the fetal heart rate decelerations.
After an amniotomy, what is the priority nursing action?
- A. Observe color and consistency of fluid
- B. Assess the fetal heart rate pattern
- C. Assess the client's temperature
- D. Evaluate the client for the presence of chills and increased uterine tenderness using palpation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the fetal heart rate pattern. After an amniotomy (breaking of the water), the priority is to monitor the fetal well-being to ensure the baby is tolerating the procedure well. Assessing the fetal heart rate pattern helps the nurse determine if the baby is experiencing any distress or changes in oxygenation. This immediate assessment is crucial in identifying any potential complications and taking prompt action.
Observing the color and consistency of fluid (A) is important but not as immediate as assessing the fetal heart rate. Assessing the client's temperature (C) and evaluating for chills and increased uterine tenderness (D) are important but do not address the immediate concern of fetal well-being post-amniotomy.
A client who is 6 hours postpartum and Rh-negative has an Rh-positive newborn. The client asks why an indirect Coombs test was ordered. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the healthcare provider?
- A. It determines if kernicterus will occur in the newborn.
- B. It detects Rh-negative antibodies in the newborn's blood.
- C. It detects Rh-positive antibodies in the mother's blood.
- D. It determines the presence of maternal antibodies in the newborn's blood.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the indirect Coombs test is used to detect Rh-positive antibodies in the mother's blood. In this scenario, the mother is Rh-negative, so if she has been sensitized to Rh-positive blood during childbirth, her immune system may produce antibodies that could potentially harm future Rh-positive pregnancies. This test helps identify the presence of these antibodies early on so appropriate interventions can be initiated to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect:
A: This test does not determine if kernicterus will occur in the newborn. Kernicterus is a severe complication of jaundice, which may result from hemolytic disease of the newborn if untreated.
B: The indirect Coombs test does not detect Rh-negative antibodies in the newborn's blood. It specifically looks for Rh-positive antibodies in the mother's blood.
D: The test does not determine the presence of maternal antibodies in the newborn's blood. It focuses on detecting antibodies in
A client is in the first trimester of pregnancy and lacks immunity to rubella. When should the client receive rubella immunization?
- A. Shortly after giving birth
- B. In the third trimester
- C. Immediately
- D. During the next attempt to get pregnant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Rubella immunization should be given shortly after giving birth to prevent any potential harm to the fetus during pregnancy. Immunization during pregnancy is contraindicated to avoid any risk of harm to the developing baby. Option B is incorrect as immunization in the third trimester can still pose a risk to the fetus. Option C is incorrect as immediate immunization during pregnancy is not recommended. Option D is incorrect as waiting until the next attempt to get pregnant does not protect the current fetus.