Maternal Fetal Monitoring Related

Review Maternal Fetal Monitoring related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a pregnant patient at 38 weeks gestation who is experiencing sudden, severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. What should the nurse do first?

  • A. Assess the fetal heart rate and prepare for delivery.
  • B. Encourage the patient to rest and monitor for changes in symptoms.
  • C. Call the healthcare provider immediately to report the symptoms.
  • D. Provide pain relief and monitor the patient's vital signs.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Call the healthcare provider immediately to report the symptoms. This is the first step because sudden, severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding in a pregnant patient at 38 weeks gestation could indicate a serious complication such as placental abruption or preterm labor. Notifying the healthcare provider promptly allows for timely intervention and appropriate management.

Choice A is incorrect as assessing the fetal heart rate and preparing for delivery should not be the first action without consulting the healthcare provider. Choice B is incorrect as encouraging the patient to rest is not appropriate in this emergent situation. Choice D is incorrect as providing pain relief and monitoring vital signs should not take precedence over notifying the healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.