A nurse is caring for a client who reports spontaneous rupture of membranes. The nurse observes fetal bradycardia on the FHR tracing and notices that the umbilical cord is protruding. After calling for assistance and notifying the provider, which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
- A. Perform a vaginal examination by applying upward pressure on the presenting part.
- B. Cover the umbilical cord with a sterile saline-saturated towel.
- C. Administer oxygen via nonrebreather mask at 8 L/min.
- D. Initiate an infusion of IV fluids for the client.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B - Cover the umbilical cord with a sterile saline-saturated towel.
Rationale: Protruding umbilical cord is a medical emergency that can lead to cord compression and compromise blood flow to the baby, resulting in fetal distress. Covering the cord with a sterile saline-saturated towel helps to prevent cord compression and maintain blood flow until delivery can be expedited. This action ensures the baby continues to receive oxygen and nutrients.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Performing a vaginal examination could further compress the cord and worsen the situation.
C: Administering oxygen may be beneficial for the mother but does not address the immediate risk to the baby from cord compression.
D: Initiating an IV infusion is important but does not address the urgent need to protect the umbilical cord.
E, F, G: No information provided.
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A nurse is reviewing laboratory findings for a client who is at 20 weeks of gestation. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Hematocrit 37% (37% to 47%)
- B. Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL (0.5 to 1 mg/dL)
- C. WBC count 11,000/mm3 (5,000 to 10,000/mm3)
- D. Fasting blood glucose 180 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Fasting blood glucose 180 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL). A high fasting blood glucose level during pregnancy may indicate gestational diabetes, which can lead to complications for both the mother and the fetus. The nurse should report this finding to the provider for further evaluation and management to prevent adverse outcomes.
Choice A: Hematocrit of 37% falls within the normal range for a pregnant woman and does not require immediate reporting.
Choice B: Creatinine level of 0.9 mg/dL is within the normal range and does not indicate any immediate concerns.
Choice C: WBC count of 11,000/mm3 is slightly elevated but can be a normal response to pregnancy and does not typically require immediate action.
In summary, the correct answer is D because it indicates a potentially serious condition that requires further investigation, while choices A, B, and C are within normal limits for pregnancy and do not raise immediate concerns.
A nurse is assessing a client who is 3 days postpartum. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Cool, clammy skin
- B. Moderate lochia serosa
- C. Heart rate 89/min
- D. BP 120/70 mm Hg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cool, clammy skin. This finding could indicate hypovolemia or shock, which are serious postpartum complications. The nurse should report this to the provider immediately for further evaluation and intervention.
Other choices are not as urgent:
B: Moderate lochia serosa is expected 3 days postpartum.
C: Heart rate of 89/min is within normal range for a postpartum client.
D: BP of 120/70 mm Hg is also within normal limits.
Therefore, the nurse should prioritize reporting the cool, clammy skin over the other findings.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin via continuous IV infusion and is experiencing persistent late decelerations in the FHR. After discontinuing the infusion, which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Instruct the client to bear down and push with contractions.
- B. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather facemask.
- C. Place the client in a supine position.
- D. Initiate an amnioinfusion.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather facemask. This action is appropriate because late decelerations in fetal heart rate (FHR) can indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, leading to fetal hypoxia. Administering oxygen helps increase the oxygen supply to the fetus, potentially improving fetal oxygenation and reducing the risk of hypoxia-related complications.
Choice A is incorrect because bearing down and pushing with contractions can further compromise fetal oxygenation in the presence of late decelerations. Choice C is incorrect as a supine position can worsen uteroplacental perfusion. Choice D, initiating an amnioinfusion, is not indicated for addressing late decelerations in FHR.
A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately following birth. For which of the following reasons should the nurse delay the instillation of antibiotic ophthalmic ointment?
- A. To allow manifestations of infection to be identified
- B. The newborn weighs less than 2.5 kg (5.5 lb)
- C. The newborn was delivered via cesarean birth
- D. To facilitate bonding between the newborn and parent
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is D - To facilitate bonding between the newborn and parent. Instillation of antibiotic ointment can interfere with the bonding process between the newborn and parent, as it may create a barrier between them. Bonding is crucial for establishing a strong emotional connection and attachment between the newborn and parent, which is important for the newborn's overall well-being. Delaying the instillation allows for uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and bonding. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because delaying antibiotic ointment instillation does not affect the identification of infection manifestations, the newborn's weight, or the mode of delivery.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labor with a fetus in the occipitoposterior position. The nurse assists the client into a hands-and-knees position. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention?
- A. Does that lessen your suprapubic pain?
- B. Are you feeling relief from your pelvic pressure?
- C. Do your contractions feel further apart?
- D. Has your back labor improved?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is D. In the occipitoposterior position, the fetus's head is pressing against the mother's sacrum, causing intense back pain known as back labor. By asking if the back labor has improved, the nurse can assess if the hands-and-knees position has helped relieve the pressure on the mother's sacrum, indicating effectiveness.
Incorrect Choices:
A: Suprapubic pain is not directly related to the occipitoposterior position or the hands-and-knees position.
B: Pelvic pressure may not necessarily be alleviated by changing positions in occipitoposterior position.
C: Contractions feeling further apart may not directly correlate with the effectiveness of the hands-and-knees position for back labor relief.