The nurse is assessing the Hispanic client who is in the active stage of labor. Which is the most crucial information that the nurse should assess related to the client’s ethnicity and stage of labor?
- A. Choice of pain control measures
- B. Desire for hot or cold fluids
- C. Persons to be in the room during labor and birth
- D. Desire for circumcision if a male infant is born
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Because cultural variations exist in pain control measures used and pain tolerance, the most crucial assessment in the active stage of labor is the client’s choice of pain control measures. A desire for hot or cold fluids is an important aspect that should be determined during the early stage of labor. Determination of support persons is an important aspect that should be made during the early stage of labor. The desire for circumcision is an important consideration, but it is not the primary need during the active stage of labor.
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The laboring client’s amniotic membranes have just ruptured. Which nursing action should be priority?
- A. Monitor maternal temperature.
- B. Inspect characteristics of the fluid.
- C. Perform a sterile vaginal examination.
- D. Assess the fetal heart rate pattern.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The priority nursing action is to assess the FHR pattern for several minutes immediately after membrane rupture to determine fetal well being. The umbilical cord may prolapse as a result of the rupture, causing life-threatening changes in the FHR. The maternal temperature should be monitored during labor and at least every two hours after the membranes rupture to assess for possible infection. However, this is not the priority nursing action. Characteristics of the fluid (color, odor, and estimated amount) should be assessed and documented after rupture, but this is not the priority at this time. A vaginal exam that assesses the progress of labor does need to be performed right after membrane rupture, but it is not the priority.
The nurse assesses the pregnant client who comes to the triage unit and determines that she is at 4/50/—1 and that the fetal HR is 148. What priority information should the nurse collect before proceeding?
- A. Time and amount of last meal
- B. Number of weeks’ gestation
- C. Who is attending the delivery
- D. History of previous illnesses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Knowing the weeks of gestation is most important because if she is in premature labor, she may need to be given tocolytics to stop the process and to ensure adequate fetal lung maturity. If she is full term, the labor process could continue. The time and amount of last meal is important to know, but number of weeks’ gestation is more important. This client is dilated at 4 cm and in active labor. Who will attend the delivery should be identified during admission to the labor unit, but it is not the most important when being evaluated in triage. History of previous illnesses should be collected during admission to the labor unit, but it is not the most important when being evaluated in triage.
Which explanation by the nurse accurately identifies the recommended weight gain for a pregnant client who has a normal prepregnancy weight?
- A. Less than 15 pounds (<6.8 kg)
- B. 15 to 20 pounds (6.8 to 9 kg)
- C. 25 to 35 pounds (11.3 to 15.9 kg)
- D. No more than 40 pounds (≤18.1 kg)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a woman with normal prepregnancy weight, the recommended weight gain is 25-35 pounds to support fetal development.
The nurse recognizes which symptom as a warning sign of preterm labor?
- A. Mild lower back pain
- B. Regular contractions before 37 weeks
- C. Increased appetite
- D. Frequent urination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regular contractions before 37 weeks are a key sign of preterm labor, requiring immediate medical attention.
The RN and the student nurse are caring for the postpartum client who is 16 hours postdelivery. The RN evaluates that the student needs more education about uterine assessment when the student is observed doing which activity?
- A. Elevating the client’s head 30 degrees before doing the assessment
- B. Supporting the lower uterine segment during the assessment
- C. Gently palpating the uterine fundus for firmness and location
- D. Observing the abdomen before beginning palpation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For uterine assessment, the client should be positioned in a supine position so the height of the uterus is not influenced by an elevated position. When beginning the assessment, one hand should be placed at the base of the uterus just above the symphysis pubis to support the lower uterine segment. This prevents the inadvertent inversion of the uterus during palpation. Once the lower hand is in place, the fundus of the uterus can be gently palpated. The abdomen should be observed prior to palpation for contour to detect distention and for the appearance of striae or a diastasis.