ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Related

Review ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored related questions and content

A patient on the labor and delivery unit is having induction of labor with oxytocin administered through a secondary IV line. Uterine contractions occur every 2 minutes, last 90 seconds, and are strong to palpation. The baseline fetal heart rate is 150/min, with uniform decelerations beginning at the peak of the contraction and a return to baseline after the contraction is over. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

  • A. Decrease the rate of infusion of the maintenance IV solution.
  • B. Discontinue the infusion of the IV oxytocin.
  • C. Increase the rate of infusion of the IV oxytocin.
  • D. Slow the client's breathing rate.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Discontinue the infusion of the IV oxytocin. Decelerations starting at the peak of contractions indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, which can be caused by hyperstimulation from oxytocin. Stopping the oxytocin infusion will help alleviate this issue and improve fetal oxygenation. Choice A would not address the underlying cause of the decelerations. Choice C would worsen the hyperstimulation. Choice D is not directly related to the fetal heart rate decelerations.