A nurse is assessing a client who is in active labor. The client reports the urge to have a bowel movement and begins to bear down during contractions. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Instruct the client to perform rapid, shallow breathing
- B. Prepare the client for an emergency cesarean birth
- C. Have the client perform pelvic tilts during contractions
- D. Apply counterpressure to the client's sacrum
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to perform rapid, shallow breathing. The urge to bear down during contractions indicates the second stage of labor, and pushing prematurely can lead to complications. Rapid, shallow breathing helps prevent pushing until the cervix is fully dilated. Choice B is incorrect because preparing for an emergency cesarean birth is not indicated based on the information provided. Choice C is incorrect as pelvic tilts are not appropriate when the client is already bearing down. Choice D is incorrect since applying counterpressure to the sacrum is not the priority when the client is showing signs of advancing labor.
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A nurse is assessing a client who is in the first stage of labor and has an external fetal monitor in place. The nurse observes early decelerations in the fetal heart rate. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Continue to monitor the fetal heart rate
- B. Reposition the client
- C. Administer oxygen via face mask
- D. Increase the rate of the IV fluids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Early decelerations are a benign finding that typically indicate fetal head compression, a normal response to uterine contractions. They do not require intervention as they are not associated with fetal compromise. The appropriate action for the nurse in this scenario is to continue to monitor the fetal heart rate. Repositioning the client, administering oxygen, or increasing IV fluids are not indicated responses to early decelerations and could be unnecessary or potentially harmful.
A nurse is preparing to administer Rh immune globulin to a client who is 28 weeks gestation. The nurse should understand that Rh immune globulin is administered to prevent which of the following?
- A. Rh incompatibility
- B. Severe preeclampsia
- C. Placental abruption
- D. Erythroblastosis fetalis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Rh incompatibility. Rh immune globulin is administered to prevent the formation of antibodies in clients who are Rh-negative and have been exposed to Rh-positive fetal blood. Severe preeclampsia (choice B) is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to organs, not prevented by Rh immune globulin. Placental abruption (choice C) is the separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, not prevented by Rh immune globulin. Erythroblastosis fetalis (choice D) is a condition where maternal antibodies attack fetal red blood cells due to Rh incompatibility, which Rh immune globulin helps prevent.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postpartum and breastfeeding. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide to prevent mastitis?
- A. Feed the newborn on demand
- B. Apply warm compresses to the breast before feeding
- C. Massage the breast after feedings
- D. Ensure the newborn empties one breast before switching to the other
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: To prevent mastitis, the nurse should instruct the client to ensure that the newborn empties one breast before switching to the other. This helps to prevent milk stasis, reducing the risk of inflammation and infection. Choice A is incorrect because feeding on demand is recommended to establish a good milk supply and prevent engorgement. Choice B is incorrect as warm compresses are usually applied before feeding to promote milk flow. Choice C is incorrect because massaging the breast after feedings can actually increase the risk of mastitis by causing further irritation.
A client in the first stage of labor is experiencing lower back pain and asks the nurse what can be done to relieve the pain. Which of the following interventions should the nurse suggest?
- A. Perform effleurage on the client's abdomen
- B. Apply counterpressure to the client's sacrum
- C. Provide a back massage with lavender oil
- D. Administer opioid analgesics
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Applying counterpressure to the sacrum can help alleviate lower back pain during labor by reducing pressure on the nerves. Effleurage on the abdomen, back massage with lavender oil, and administering opioid analgesics are not specifically targeted at relieving lower back pain, making them less effective interventions in this scenario.
A nurse is assessing a newborn who is 1 day old. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Heart rate 160/min
- B. Axillary temperature 36.8°C (98.2°F)
- C. Yellow-tinged skin
- D. Respiratory rate 42/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Yellow-tinged skin. Yellow-tinged skin within the first 24 hours of life can indicate pathological jaundice and should be reported to the provider. High heart rate (Choice A), normal axillary temperature (Choice B), and slightly elevated respiratory rate (Choice D) are common findings in newborns and may not necessarily require immediate reporting unless they persist or are significantly abnormal.