Nokea
The client in labor received an epidural anesthesia 20 minutes ago. The nurse assesses that the client’s BP is 98/62 mm Hg and that the client is lying supine. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Increase the lactated Ringer’s infusion rate.
- B. Elevate the client’s legs for 2 to 3 minutes.
- C. Place the bed in 10- to 20-degree Trendelenburg.
- D. Position the client in a left side-lying position.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The first action is to place the client in a left side-lying position. This displaces the uterus and alleviates aortocaval compression. Increasing the infusion rate may be implemented if repositioning the client does not correct the hypotension. Elevating the client’s legs for 2 to 3 minutes is done with severe or prolonged hypertension to increase blood return from the extremities. It may be implemented after repositioning to left side, increasing the IV rate, and placing in Trendelenburg position. Placing in 10- to 20-degree Trendelenburg position is usually implemented if the BP does not increase within 1 to 2 minutes after repositioning to left side and increasing the IV flow rate.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse emphasizes which safety measure during prenatal education?
- A. Avoiding raw or undercooked meat
- B. Sleeping on the stomach throughout pregnancy
- C. Using saunas regularly
- D. Taking herbal supplements without consultation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Avoiding raw or undercooked meat prevents infections like toxoplasmosis, a key safety measure for fetal health.
Two hours after the client’s vaginal delivery, she reports feeling “several large, warm gushes of fluid” from her vagina. The nurse assesses the client’s perineum and finds a large pool of blood on the client’s bed. Which nursing action is priority?
- A. Encourage the client to ambulate to the bathroom in order to empty her bladder.
- B. Place two hands on the uterine fundus and prepare to vigorously massage the uterus.
- C. Reassure the client that heavy bleeding is expected in the first few hours postpartum.
- D. Support the lower uterine segment with one hand and assess the fundus with the other.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A full bladder may displace the uterus, causing increased bleeding. However, a more complete assessment must be performed prior to getting the client out of bed to prevent increased bleeding and syncope. Vigorously massaging the uterus may result in inversion of the uterus. The client should not simply be reassured that heavy bleeding is expected because further assessment is necessary before concluding that the client’s blood loss is WNL. The nurse’s first action should be to support the lower uterine segment and to assess the fundus. Increased bleeding will occur if soft or “boggy.” Failing to support the lower uterine segment may result in inversion of the uterus.
The nurse observes a sinusoidal FHR pattern on the monitor tracing. How should the nurse interpret this pattern?
- A. The fetus may be in a sleep state.
- B. Congenital anomalies are possible.
- C. This may indicate severe fetal anemia.
- D. This predicts normal fetal well-being.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sinusoidal pattern, which is Drag and Drop, smooth, undulating, and uncommon, classically occurs with severe fetal anemia as a result of abnormal perinatal conditions. An FHR pattern having minimal variability (not a sinusoidal pattern) might indicate that the fetus is in a sleep state. Absent or minimal variability, not a sinusoidal FHR pattern, could indicate possible congenital anomalies. Moderate variability of the FHR (not a sinusoidal pattern) reflects normal fetal well-being.
The nurse is caring for the client in preterm labor who has gestational diabetes. The nurse determines that the client has a reactive NST when which findings are noted?
- A. Two fetal heart rate (FHR) accelerations of 15 beats per minute (bpm) above baseline for at least 15 seconds in a 20-minute period
- B. An FHR acceleration of 15 bpm above baseline for at least 10 seconds in the 40-minute time period for the NST
- C. Two FHR accelerations of 20 bpm above baseline when the mother changes position during the 20-minute NST
- D. The occurrence of at least three mild repetitive variable decelerations in the 20-minute time period for the NST
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The FHR is monitored by the placement of an electronic fetal monitor that has an ultrasound transducer to record the FHR and a tocodynamometer to detect uterine or fetal movement. The client is given a handheld marker to indicate when she feels fetal movement. Fetal movement is accompanied by an increase in the FHR in the healthy fetus. The criterion for a reactive (normal) NST is the presence of two FHR accelerations of 15 bpm above baseline lasting 15 seconds or longer in a 20-minute period. One FHR acceleration during a 40-minute period is insufficient and indicates a nonreactive (abnormal) NST. Maternal movement can cause an inconsistency in the FHR on the monitor strip and should be avoided during an NST. The occurrence of at least three mild repetitive variable decelerations in a 20-minute period describes a nonreactive (abnormal) NST and fetal intolerance.
The postpartum client suffered a fourth-degree perineal laceration during her vaginal birth. Which interventions should the nurse add to the client’s plan of care? Select all that apply.
- A. Limit ambulation to bathroom privileges only.
- B. Decrease fluid intake to 1000 mL every 24 hours.
- C. Instruct the client on a high-fiber diet.
- D. Monitor the uterus for firmness every 2 hours.
- E. Give pm prescribed stool softeners in the am. and at h.s.
Correct Answer: C,E
Rationale: Activity should be increased, not decreased, to reduce the potential for constipation. Fluids should be increased, not decreased, to reduce the potential for dehydration and constipation. The client with a fourth-degree perineal laceration should be instructed to increase dietary fiber to help maintain bowel continence and decrease perineal trauma from constipation. A perineal laceration will not affect the condition of the uterus; there is no need to increase uterine monitoring. The client with a fourth-degree perineal laceration should be given a stool softener bid to help maintain bowel continence and decrease perineal trauma from constipation.