The client delivered a healthy newborn 4 hours ago after being induced with oxytocin. While being assisted to the bathroom to void for the first time after delivery, the client tells the nurse that she doesn’t feel a need to urinate. Which explanation should the nurse provide when the client expresses surprise after voiding 900 mL of urine?
- A. “A decreased sensation of bladder filling is normal after childbirth.”
- B. “The oxytocin you received in labor makes it difficult to feel voiding.”
- C. “You probably didn’t empty completely. I will need to scan your bladder.”
- D. “Your bladder capacity is large; you likely won’t void again for 6—8 hours.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should explain about the decreased sensation of bladder filling after childbirth. It is not uncommon for the postpartum client to have increased bladder capacity, decreased sensitivity to fluid pressure, and a decreased sensation of bladder filling. Oxytocin (Pitocin) is not expected to cause a change in bladder sensation, but it does have an antidiuretic effect. There is no indication that the client didn’t completely empty; a volume of 900 mL is a large amount. The postpartum client is at risk for bladder overdistention and should be encouraged to void every 2 to 4 hours.
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The pregnant client is experiencing low back pain. After determining that the client is not in labor, the nurse instructs the client to perform which exercises to increase comfort and decrease the incidence of the low back pain? Select all that apply.
- A. Kegel exercises
- B. Pelvic tilt exercises
- C. Leg raises
- D. Back stretch
- E. Stepping
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: Pelvic tilt exercises strengthen and stretch the abdominal and back muscles to relieve pain. Leg raises strengthen and stretch leg and abdominal muscles to relieve pain. Back stretch relieves pain from the back muscles caused by lordosis. Kegel exercises strengthen the pubococcygeal muscle, decreasing urinary leakage, but do not relieve back pain. Stepping provides aerobic exercise, which is good for circulation but is not recommended to decrease low back pain.
The client in labor is requesting water therapy (hydrotherapy) to help provide pain relief and relaxation. Her recent vaginal exam was 2/50/—2. How should the nurse respond to the client’s request?
- A. “Usually we initiate hydrotherapy during active labor.”
- B. “You will not need to change positions quite as much.”
- C. “We will not be able to monitor fetal heart rate as easily.”
- D. “You can use hydrotherapy for up to 60 minutes at a time.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hydrotherapy is usually initiated when the client is in active labor, at approximately 4 or 5 cm. This timing will help reduce the risk of prolonged labor and provide a welcome change when the contractions are becoming stronger and closer together. Changing position takes less effort while immersed in water, so women are encouraged to change positions more frequently to help facilitate the process of labor. FHR monitoring can be done just as easily during hydrotherapy, using a wireless external monitor, Doppler, or fetoscope. Internal electrodes can be placed during most types of hydrotherapy but is contraindicated during jet hydrotherapy. There is no time limit for laboring women to use hydrotherapy; they may stay as long as desired, unless complications develop during the labor process.
How many factors in this scenario place the client at risk for nutritional deficiencies and the need for dietary guidance and counseling?
- A. Three
- B. Four
- C. Five
- D. Six
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Five risk factors: adolescence, skipping meals, fast food diet, alcohol consumption, and weight gain concerns increase nutritional deficiency risk.
The nurse is caring for the low-risk laboring client during the first stage of labor. When should the nurse assess the FHR pattern? Select all that apply.
- A. Before administering medications
- B. At least every fifteen minutes
- C. After vaginal examinations
- D. During a hard contraction
- E. When giving oxytocin
Correct Answer: A,C
Rationale: The FHR may be affected by medications given to the mother. Therefore, a baseline FHR should be determined before giving any medication to the laboring client and then assessed again after giving the medication. The FHR should be assessed after each vaginal examination because the fetus could change positions, or be stressed by the intrusion of the examiner’s fingers, or intact membranes could have ruptured. The FHR should be assessed every 30 minutes (not 15 minutes) during the first stage of labor if the client is categorized as low risk. The FHR should be assessed every 15 minutes during the second stage of labor. Although the FHR could be listened to during a contraction, it may be difficult due to muffling of the sounds and maternal movement. It is most important to listen before and after the contraction to more accurately detect FHR decelerations. If the client is classified as low risk, she should not be receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) for labor augmentation or induction.
The nurse is screening prenatal clients who may be carriers for potential genetic abnormalities. Which ethnic group should the nurse identify as having the lowest risk for hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia?
- A. African descent
- B. Southeast Asian descent
- C. Scandinavian descent
- D. Mediterranean descent
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Individuals of Scandinavian descent are not an identified risk group for hemoglobinopathies. Individuals of African descent are at risk for hemoglobinopathies and should be offered carrier screening. Individuals of Southeast Asian descent are at risk for hemoglobinopathies and should be offered carrier screening. Individuals of Mediterranean descent are at risk for hemoglobinopathies and should be offered carrier screening.