A multigravida in active labor is 7 cm dilated. The fetal heart rate baseline is 130 bpm with moderate variability. The client begins to have variable decelerations to 100 to 110 bpm. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Perform a vaginal examination.
- B. Notify the physician of the decelerations.
- C. Reposition the client and continue to evaluate the tracing.
- D. Administer oxygen via mask at 2 L/minute.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Variable decelerations suggest possible cord compression. Repositioning the client (e.g., to a side-lying position) can relieve pressure on the cord, and continued monitoring assesses the effectiveness. Vaginal examination, notification, or oxygen may follow if the issue persists.
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The nurse in the labor and delivery area receives a telephone call from the emergency room announcing that a multigravid client in active labor is being transferred to the labor area. The client has been successful care, when the client arrives by stretcher, she says, 'I think the baby's coming ... Help!' The fetal skull is crowning. The nurse should obtain which of the following information first?
- A. Estimated date of delivery.
- B. Amniotic fluid status.
- C. Gravida and parity.
- D. Prenatal history.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: With crowning, delivery is imminent, and confirming the estimated date of delivery ensures the neonate's gestational age is known for resuscitation planning. Fluid status, gravida/parity, and prenatal history are secondary.
A nurse is discussing the contraceptive injection with a client. Which of the following benefits should the nurse highlight?
- A. It provides protection against STIs.
- B. It is effective for 3 months per injection.
- C. It requires daily administration.
- D. It guarantees regular periods.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The contraceptive injection is effective for 3 months per injection, offering convenient long-term contraception. It does not protect against STIs, is not administered daily, and may cause irregular periods.
A primigravid client in active labor has had no anesthesia. The client's cervix is 7 cm dilated, and she is starting to feel considerable discomfort during the first 10 cm to the client's sacral client is a left side-lying position. The nurse should encourage which of the following?
- A. Rapid, shallow chest breathing.
- B. Deep chest breathing.
- C. Rapid pant-blow breathing.
- D. Slow abdominal breathing.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Slow abdominal breathing promotes relaxation and oxygenation, helping manage discomfort in active labor without anesthesia. Rapid or shallow breathing may lead to hyperventilation, and deep chest breathing is less effective for pain control.
An obese 36-year-old multigravid client at 12 weeks' gestation has a history of chronic hypertension. She was treated with methyldopa(Aldomet) before becoming pregnant. When counseling the client about diet during pregnancy, the nurse realizes that the client needs additional instruction when she states which of the following?
- A. "I need to reduce my caloric intake to 1,200 calories a day."
- B. "A regular diet is recommended during pregnancy."
- C. "I should eat more frequent meals if I get heartburn."
- D. "I need to consume more fluids and fiber each day."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reducing caloric intake too much can be harmful during pregnancy.
A multigravid client is admitted to the labor area from the emergency room. At the time of admission, the fetal head is crowning, and the client yells, 'The baby's coming!' To help the client remain calm and cooperative during the imminent delivery, which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. You're right, the baby is coming, so just relax.'
- B. Please don't push because you'll tear your cervix.'
- C. Your doctor will be here as soon as possible.'
- D. I'll explain what's happening to guide you as we go along.'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Explaining the process and guiding the client during a precipitous delivery promotes cooperation and reduces anxiety. Telling her to relax is unhelpful, warning against pushing is inaccurate (cervix is fully dilated), and focusing on the doctor's arrival is irrelevant.
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