A nurse is caring for several clients. The nurse should recognize that it is safe to administer tocolytic therapy to which of the following clients?
- A. A client who is experiencing fetal death at 32 weeks of gestation
- B. A client who is experiencing preterm labor at 26 weeks of gestation
- C. A client who is experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions at 36 weeks of gestation
- D. A client who has a post-term pregnancy at 42 weeks of gestation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
1. Tocolytic therapy is used to delay preterm labor and prevent premature birth.
2. Administering tocolytic therapy at 26 weeks of gestation allows time for corticosteroids to enhance fetal lung maturity.
3. Delaying labor at this stage can improve neonatal outcomes.
4. Other choices are incorrect because tocolytic therapy is not indicated for fetal death, Braxton-Hicks contractions, or post-term pregnancy.
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A client is being cared for 2 hours after a spontaneous vaginal birth and has saturated two perineal pads with blood in a 30-minute period. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention at this time?
- A. Palpate the client's uterine fundus.
- B. Assist the client to a bedpan to urinate.
- C. Prepare to administer oxytocic medication.
- D. Increase the client's fluid intake.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Palpate the client's uterine fundus. Palpating the uterine fundus is crucial to assess for uterine atony, a common cause of postpartum hemorrhage. If the fundus is boggy or deviated, it indicates uterine atony and immediate interventions are needed.
B: Assisting the client to a bedpan to urinate is important, but addressing the potential cause of excessive bleeding takes precedence.
C: Administering oxytocic medication may be necessary to help stimulate uterine contractions, but assessing the fundus comes first to determine the underlying cause of bleeding.
D: Increasing fluid intake is not the priority in this situation. Palpating the fundus and addressing potential hemorrhage are the immediate concerns.
A client reports unrelieved episiotomy pain 8 hours following a vaginal birth. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Apply an ice pack to the affected area.
- B. Offer a warm sitz bath.
- C. Provide a squeeze bottle of antiseptic solution.
- D. Place a hot pack on the perineum.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Apply an ice pack to the affected area. Ice helps reduce inflammation and numb the pain, providing relief for the client. Step 1: Ice constricts blood vessels, reducing swelling and pain. Step 2: Ice numbs the area, providing immediate relief. Step 3: Ice is recommended for acute pain management. Summary: B (warm sitz bath) may increase blood flow and exacerbate swelling. C (antiseptic solution) is not indicated for pain relief. D (hot pack) may worsen inflammation and pain.
A healthcare provider is preparing to administer vitamin K by IM injection to a newborn. The medication should be administered into which of the following muscles?
- A. Vastus lateralis
- B. Ventrogluteal
- C. Dorsogluteal
- D. Deltoid
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vastus lateralis. This muscle is the preferred site for IM injections in newborns due to its large muscle mass and minimal risk of damage to nerves and blood vessels. Administering vitamin K in the vastus lateralis ensures proper absorption and distribution of the medication. Ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal sites are not recommended for newborns due to the risk of sciatic nerve damage and limited muscle mass. The deltoid muscle is typically used for older children and adults, not newborns.
A healthcare professional in the emergency department is caring for a client who presents with severe abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant. The provider suspects a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Which of the following signs indicates to the healthcare professional that the client has blood in the peritoneum?
- A. Chvostek's sign
- B. Cullen's sign
- C. Chadwick's sign
- D. Goodell's sign
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cullen's sign. Cullen's sign is the presence of periumbilical ecchymosis, indicating blood in the peritoneum due to internal bleeding from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Chvostek's sign (choice A) is related to facial muscle spasm due to hypocalcemia. Chadwick's sign (choice C) is bluish discoloration of the cervix indicating pregnancy. Goodell's sign (choice D) is softening of the cervix in early pregnancy. These signs are not indicative of blood in the peritoneum like Cullen's sign is.
A client in labor is having contractions 4 minutes apart. Which of the following patterns should the nurse expect on the fetal monitoring tracing?
- A. Contractions that last for 60 seconds each with a 4-minute rest between contractions
- B. A contraction that lasts 4 minutes followed by a period of relaxation
- C. Contractions that last for 60 seconds each with a 3-minute rest between contractions
- D. Contractions that last 45 seconds each with a 3-minute rest between contractions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Contractions that last for 60 seconds each with a 3-minute rest between contractions. In active labor, contractions typically last around 60 seconds each and occur about 2-5 minutes apart. With contractions 4 minutes apart, a 3-minute rest between contractions aligns with the expected pattern. Choice A is incorrect as the rest between contractions is too long. Choice B is incorrect as a contraction lasting 4 minutes is not typical in labor. Choice D is incorrect as the duration of contractions is shorter than expected in active labor. Therefore, Choice C is the most fitting pattern based on the frequency and duration of contractions during labor.