Nokea
A nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is at 22 weeks gestation and reports experiencing vaginal bleeding. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assess the bleeding and notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is the priority action because vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can indicate serious complications such as placental abruption or preterm labor. By assessing the bleeding, the nurse can determine the severity and nature of the bleeding to provide crucial information to the healthcare provider for prompt intervention. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately ensures timely assessment and appropriate management to protect the health and well-being of both the mother and fetus. Encouraging rest (choice A) may be appropriate, but assessing the bleeding and notifying the healthcare provider take precedence. Monitoring fetal heart rate (choice B) is important but secondary to assessing the bleeding. Instructing the patient to use a sanitary pad (choice D) is not sufficient to address the potential underlying causes of vaginal bleeding.