Maternity NCLEX Questions Related

Review Maternity NCLEX Questions related questions and content

The nurse is caring for the client who has been in the second stage of labor for the last 12 hours. The nurse should monitor for which cardiovascular change that occurs during this stage of labor?

  • A. An increase in maternal heart rate
  • B. A decrease in the cardiac output
  • C. An increase in the white blood cell (WBC) count
  • D. A decreased intravascular volume during contractions
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Maternal HR is normally increased due to pain resulting from increased catecholamine secretion, fear, anxiety, and increased blood volume. When the laboring client holds her breath and pushes against a closed glottis, intrathoracic pressure rises. Blood in the lungs is forced into the left atrium, leading to a transient increase (not decrease) in cardiac output. Although the WBCS increase to 25,000/mm3 to 30,000/mm3 during labor and early postpartum as a physiological response to stress, this is not a cardiovascular change. During the second stage of labor, the maternal intravascular volume is increased (not decreased) by 300 to 500 mL of blood from the contracting uterus.