Which nursing action is most appropriate for a laboring patient experiencing severe back pain due to a posterior fetal position?
- A. Offer narcotic analgesics for pain relief.
- B. Encourage frequent position changes.
- C. Provide continuous fetal monitoring.
- D. Prepare the patient for an immediate cesarean delivery.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encourage frequent position changes. This is because changing positions can help alleviate pressure on the back and potentially help the baby rotate into a more favorable position for delivery. It is a non-invasive and supportive approach to managing back pain during labor. Offering narcotic analgesics (choice A) may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying issue. Continuous fetal monitoring (choice C) is important but not the most immediate intervention for back pain. Immediately preparing for a cesarean delivery (choice D) is not warranted unless there are other concerning factors beyond back pain.
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The labor nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient admitted in active labor with
- A. On admission, vital signs were as follows: maternal heart rate (HR) 92 bpm; fetal rate (FHR) baseline, 150 to 160 bpm; blood pressure, 124/76 mm Hg; temperature 37.2° C (99° F). What is the priority nursing action for this patient?
- B. Fetal acoustic stimulation
- C. Assess temperature everyN 2 hRourIs G
- D. Change absorption pads under her hips every 2 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: On admission, vital signs were as follows: maternal heart rate (HR) 92 bpm; fetal rate (FHR) baseline, 150 to 160 bpm; blood pressure, 124/76 mm Hg; temperature 37.2° C (99° F). The priority nursing action for this patient is to assess the vital signs. The maternal heart rate, fetal heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature are crucial indicators of the patient's and the fetus's well-being during labor. Monitoring these vital signs helps the nurse detect any abnormalities or signs of distress promptly, allowing for timely intervention.
Choice B, fetal acoustic stimulation, is not the priority at this stage as there are no indications in the question stem that suggest the need for this intervention. Choice C, assessing temperature every 2 hours, is not the priority as the patient's temperature is within normal range on admission. Choice D, changing absorption pads under her hips every 2 hours,
The method of anesthesia in labor that is considered the safest for the fetus is
- A. epidural block.
- B. pudendal block.
- C. local infiltration.
- D. spinal (subarachnoi
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: epidural block. Epidural anesthesia in labor is considered the safest for the fetus because it does not directly affect the baby's central nervous system. It provides effective pain relief for the mother while minimizing the risk of medication passing to the fetus. It also allows for adjustment of the dose as needed during labor.
Summary of why other choices are incorrect:
B: Pudendal block is a regional anesthesia technique that primarily provides pain relief to the perineum and does not affect the fetus directly.
C: Local infiltration anesthesia is limited in its coverage and may not provide adequate pain relief during labor.
D: Spinal (subarachnoid) anesthesia may lead to a rapid and significant drop in blood pressure, affecting fetal oxygenation and require careful monitoring.
When caring for a patient in labor who is considered to be at low risk, which assessments should be included in the plan of care? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Check the DTR each shift.
- B. Monitor and record vital signs frequently during the course of labor.
- C. Document the FHR pattern, noting baseline and response to contraction patterns.
- D. Indicate on the EFM tracing when maternal position changes are don
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor and record vital signs frequently during the course of labor. This is essential to ensure the patient's physiological stability and detect any deviations that may indicate complications. Checking the DTR (Choice A) is not relevant for low-risk patients in labor. Documenting the FHR pattern (Choice C) is important, but not as crucial as monitoring vital signs. Indicating maternal position changes on the EFM tracing (Choice D) is beneficial but not a priority assessment for low-risk patients. Vital sign monitoring is the most critical assessment for ensuring the well-being of the patient in labor.
Which assessment finding is an indication of hemorrhage in the recently delivered postpartum patient?
- A. Elevated pulse rate
- B. Elevated blood pressure
- C. Firm fundus at the midline
- D. Saturation of two perineal pads in 4 hours
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Saturation of two perineal pads in 4 hours is an indication of hemorrhage postpartum. This is because excessive bleeding after delivery can lead to soaking through pads quickly. A: Elevated pulse rate can be a sign of shock but not specific to hemorrhage. B: Elevated blood pressure is not a typical sign of hemorrhage. C: A firm fundus at the midline is a normal finding postpartum and not indicative of hemorrhage.
Nausea and vomiting are common discomforts in labor. When treating with promethazine, what must the nurse do when administering this medication?
- A. Administer subcutaneously.
- B. Never administer with an opioid.
- C. Dilute before IV administration.
- D. Never administer in first stage labor.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Dilute before IV administration. Promethazine is a vesicant and can cause tissue damage if not properly diluted before IV administration. Diluting the medication helps reduce the risk of phlebitis and tissue irritation. Administering it subcutaneously (A) can cause pain and irritation at the injection site. Administering with an opioid (B) can increase the risk of respiratory depression. Administering promethazine in first stage labor (D) is generally safe, but diluting before IV administration is still necessary to prevent adverse effects.