NCLEX Questions on Leadership and Management Related

Review NCLEX Questions on Leadership and Management related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a group of clients in the labor and delivery department. The nurse should prioritize assessing the client who

  • A. is 39 weeks gestation with regular contractions every 3 minutes and reports perineal pressure.
  • B. had an epidural placed 3 hours ago and reports a mild headache and has a distended bladder.
  • C. delivered a term newborn 4 hours ago and has saturated one peri-pad since delivery and has a temperature of 99.6°F (37.6°C).
  • D. is 37 weeks gestation with blood pressure 168/112 mmHg, reports a persistent headache.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Severe hypertension (168/112 mmHg) with headache at 37 weeks (D) suggests preeclampsia, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate assessment to prevent seizures or organ damage. Perineal pressure (A), epidural headache (B), and postpartum findings (C) are less urgent.