The laboring client is experiencing dyspnea, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hypotension while lying on her back. Which intervention should the nurse implement immediately?
- A. Turn the client onto her left side.
- B. Turn the client onto her right side.
- C. Notify the attending obstetrician.
- D. Apply oxygen by nasal cannula.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When the laboring client lies flat on her back, the gravid uterus completely occludes the inferior vena cava and laterally displaces the subrenal aorta. This aortocaval compression reduces maternal cardiac output, producing dyspnea, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hypotension. Other symptoms include air hunger, nausea, and weakness. A left side-lying position decreases aortocaval compression. Lying on the right side increases aortocaval compression. Notifying the obstetrician is not the first intervention. The obstetrician would be notified if symptoms are not relieved by a left side-lying position. Applying oxygen may be needed, but first the client should be placed left side-lying.
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Which expected outcome should the nurse include based on the client's eating habits?
- A. The client will eat three balanced meals and two snacks daily while pregnant.
- B. The client will gain a total of 50 pounds during the pregnancy.
- C. The client will take two prenatal vitamins daily.
- D. The client will report eating about 2,000 calories per day.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Eating three balanced meals and two snacks daily addresses the client's poor eating habits and supports nutritional needs.
The client on the labor unit has been experiencing frequent, painful contractions for the last 6 hours. The contractions are of poor quality, and there has been no cervical change. Which interventions should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.
- A. Maintain bed rest
- B. Administer a sedative
- C. Administer an analgesic
- D. Prepare for cesarean delivery
- E. Prepare to start oxytocin
Correct Answer: A,B,C,E
Rationale: This client is experiencing a hypertonic labor pattern in which her contractions are frequent and painful, but no cervical change has occurred. This client should be encouraged to rest often. A sedative should be given to assist the client to rest. Because the contractions are painful, an analgesic should be administered to help the client relax and cope more effectively. If the hypertonic labor pattern continues, augmentation should be initiated with either an oxytocin infusion or amniotomy. A cesarean birth is not a treatment for a hypertonic labor pattern unless a nonreassuring FHR pattern is present.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further psychosocial support?
- A. I feel ready to bond with my baby.
- B. I am excited about becoming a mother.
- C. I feel worthless and overwhelmed daily.
- D. I have a great support system at home.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Feeling worthless and overwhelmed daily suggests potential depression, indicating a need for additional psychosocial support.
The nurse advises the client to keep the newborn's crib free of which item?
- A. Soft toys and blankets
- B. Firm mattress
- C. Fitted sheet
- D. Crib bumpers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Soft toys and blankets in the crib increase the risk of suffocation and SIDS, and should be avoided.
The nurse observes on the monitor tracing of the client in the transition phase of labor that the baseline FHR is 160 and that there is moderate variability with V-shaped decelerations unrelated to contractions. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Prepare for delivery.
- B. Notify the obstetrician.
- C. Apply oxygen nasally.
- D. Reposition the client.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Repositioning the client to her side or to knee-chest should be done first to take the pressure off the umbilical cord. Variable decelerations usually result from cord compression and stretching during fetal descent. The fetus has a normal baseline HR and good variability. There is no indication that immediate delivery is necessary. Other measures could correct the V-shaped (variable) decelerations. Other nursing measures are used to correct the V-shaped (variable) decelerations prior to contacting the obstetrician (or midwife). Repositioning the client should be implemented prior to giving her oxygen.