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.
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Which position should the nurse recommend for early labor?
- A. Lying flat on the back
- B. Walking or standing
- C. Sitting upright
- D. Kneeling on all fours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Walking or standing in early labor promotes progress and comfort, unlike lying flat, which may slow labor.
The pregnant client has been pushing for 2½ hours. After some difficulty, the large fetal head emerges. The HCP attempts to deliver the shoulders without success. Place the nurse’s actions in caring for this client in the correct sequence.
- A. Apply suprapubic pressure per direction of the HCP.
- B. Place the client in exaggerated lithotomy position.
- C. Catheterize the client’s bladder.
- D. Call for the neonatal resuscitation team to be present.
- E. Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth.
Correct Answer: D,B,A,C,E
Rationale: Call for the neonatal resuscitation team to be present because of fetal distress. Place the client in exaggerated lithotomy position so the McRoberts’ maneuver can be performed (flexing her thighs sharply on her abdomen may widen the pelvic outlet and let the anterior shoulder be delivered). Apply suprapubic pressure per direction of the HCP. This is completed in an effort to dislodge the shoulder from under the pubic bone. Catheterize the client’s bladder. This will empty the bladder to make more room for the fetal head. Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth. This will be performed if all efforts for a vaginal birth fail.
Which safety measure should the nurse emphasize for newborn sleep?
- A. Place the newborn on their back to sleep
- B. Use soft bedding for comfort
- C. Co-sleep in the parent's bed
- D. Keep the room very warm
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Placing the newborn on their back to sleep reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The nurse correctly instructs the client to drink how many glasses of milk per day to meet calcium requirements?
- A. 1 to 2
- B. 3 to 4
- C. 5 to 6
- D. 7 to 8
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Three to four glasses of milk daily provide approximately 1200 mg of calcium, meeting pregnancy requirements.
The pregnant client has an abnormal 1-hour glucose screen and completes a 3-hour, 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Which test results should the nurse interpret as being abnormal?
- A. Fasting blood glucose = 104 mg/dL
- B. 1-hour = 179 mg/dL
- C. 2-hour = 146 mg/dL
- D. 3-hour = 129 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The fasting blood glucose of 104 mg/dL is abnormal for the OGTT; normal is 95 mg/dL or lower. A 1-hour OGTT value of 179 mg/dL is normal; normal is 180 mg/dL or lower. The 2-hour OGTT value of 146 mg/dL is normal; an abnormal value is 155 mg/dL or higher. The 3-hour OGTT value of 129 mg/dL is normal; an abnormal value is 140 mg/dL or higher.