Maternal Monitoring During Labor Related

Review Maternal Monitoring During Labor related questions and content

A pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation reports persistent nausea and vomiting. What is the nurse's priority action?

  • A. Instruct the patient to take over-the-counter anti-nausea medication.
  • B. Monitor the patient's hydration status and assess for signs of dehydration.
  • C. Encourage the patient to eat large meals more frequently to prevent nausea.
  • D. Recommend the patient avoid drinking fluids to prevent further vomiting.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor the patient's hydration status and assess for signs of dehydration. This is the priority action because nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can lead to dehydration, which can have serious consequences for both the mother and the baby. By monitoring the patient's hydration status and assessing for signs of dehydration, the nurse can ensure early intervention if dehydration occurs.

Incorrect choices:
A: Instruct the patient to take over-the-counter anti-nausea medication - This is not the priority as dehydration needs to be addressed first.
C: Encourage the patient to eat large meals more frequently to prevent nausea - This may exacerbate the nausea and vomiting, leading to further dehydration.
D: Recommend the patient avoid drinking fluids to prevent further vomiting - Dehydration can worsen if the patient avoids fluids.