Intrapartum Complications NCLEX Questions Related

Review Intrapartum Complications NCLEX Questions related questions and content

The nurse is assessing the client for the presence of ballottement. Which should the nurse perform to test for the presence of ballottement?

  • A. Palpate the uterus for contractions
  • B. Assess the skin for increased pigmentation
  • C. Initiate a gentle upward tap on the cervix
  • D. Palpate the abdomen for fetal outline
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. To test for the presence of ballottement, the nurse should initiate a gentle upward tap on the cervix. Ballottement is a technique used in obstetrics to assess for the presence of a floating object in the uterus, such as a fetus. By tapping the cervix gently, the nurse can feel for a rebound effect, indicating the presence of a floating object. This technique helps to confirm the presence of a fetus in the uterus.

Explanation of why other choices are incorrect:
A: Palpating the uterus for contractions is not relevant to testing for ballottement.
B: Assessing the skin for increased pigmentation is not related to assessing for the presence of a floating object in the uterus.
D: Palpating the abdomen for fetal outline does not specifically test for ballottement, which involves tapping the cervix.