The healthcare provider is preparing to administer magnesium sulfate to a laboring client whose blood pressure has increased from 110/60 mmHg to 140/90 mmHg. Which action is the highest priority?
- A. Provide a quiet environment with subdued lighting.
- B. Have calcium gluconate immediately available.
- C. Assess deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) every 4 hours.
- D. Insert a Foley catheter with a urimeter to monitor hourly output.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Having calcium gluconate readily available is crucial when administering magnesium sulfate, as it serves as the antidote in case of magnesium toxicity. Magnesium sulfate can lead to respiratory depression and cardiac arrest in cases of overdose or toxicity, making the prompt availability of calcium gluconate essential for immediate administration to counteract these effects.
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The LPN/LVN is providing discharge teaching for a client who is 24 hours postpartum. The nurse explains to the client that her vaginal discharge will change from red to pink and then to white. The client asks, 'What if I start having red bleeding after it changes?' What should the nurse instruct the client to do?
- A. Reduce activity level and notify the healthcare provider.
- B. Go to bed and assume a knee-chest position.
- C. Massage the uterus and go to the emergency room.
- D. Do not worry as this is a normal occurrence.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: If the client experiences a return to red bleeding after transitioning to pink and white, it may indicate possible complications like hemorrhage or retained placental fragments. Instructing the client to reduce activity level and promptly notify the healthcare provider is crucial for timely evaluation and management of these potentially serious postpartum complications.
A woman who delivered a 9-pound baby via cesarean section under spinal anesthesia is recovering in the post-anesthesia care unit. Her fundus is firm at the umbilicus, and a continuous trickle of bright red blood with no clots is observed by the nurse. Which action should the nurse implement?
- A. Assess her blood pressure.
- B. Apply an ice pack to the perineum.
- C. Allow the infant to breastfeed.
- D. Massage the fundus vigorously.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this situation, continuous bleeding despite a firm fundus suggests a possible laceration. The appropriate action for the nurse to take is to assess the woman's blood pressure. This helps determine the severity of blood loss and guides further interventions, such as identifying the need for additional assessments or interventions to control bleeding.
A client who delivered vaginally 2 days ago states that she wants to resume using her diaphragm for birth control. What information should you share with her?
- A. The most effective form of contraception is a diaphragm.
- B. The diaphragm must be refitted after childbirth.
- C. Vaseline lubricant can be used when inserting the diaphragm.
- D. The diaphragm should be inserted 2 to 4 hours before intercourse.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
The client is admitted in active labor with a cervix that is 3 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and the presenting part at 0 station. An hour later, the client expresses the need to go to the bathroom. Which action should the nurse implement first?
- A. Palpate the client's bladder.
- B. Check the pH of the vaginal fluid.
- C. Review the fetal heart rate pattern.
- D. Determine cervical dilation.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should prioritize determining cervical dilation as it helps in assessing the progress of labor and ensures it is safe for the client to move. Changes in cervical dilation may indicate the advancement of labor, warranting appropriate interventions or restrictions on movement to prevent complications.
A 4-week-old premature infant has been receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen) for the last three weeks. Which assessment finding indicates to the healthcare provider that the drug is effective?
- A. Slowly increasing urinary output over the last week.
- B. Respiratory rate changes from the 40s to the 60s.
- C. Changes in apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s.
- D. Change in indirect bilirubin from 12 mg/dl to 8 mg/dl.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Epoetin alfa stimulates erythropoiesis, leading to an increase in red blood cell production and improving oxygen-carrying capacity. As the oxygenation status improves, there is a reduction in heart rate. Therefore, changes in apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s indicate that the drug is effective.