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While caring for a laboring client on continuous fetal monitoring, the nurse notes a fetal heart rate pattern that falls and rises abruptly with a 'V' shaped appearance. What action should the nurse take first?
- A. Change the maternal position.
- B. Administer oxygen at 10 L by mask.
- C. Prepare for a potential cesarean.
- D. Allow the client to begin pushing.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In cases of fetal heart rate patterns showing abrupt falls and rises with a 'V' shaped appearance, it indicates possible cord compression. Changing the maternal position, such as moving the mother onto her side, can relieve the pressure off the cord and help improve fetal oxygenation, making it the priority intervention to address the decelerations.
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A laboring client's membranes rupture spontaneously. The nurse notices that the amniotic fluid is greenish-brown. What intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Turn the client to her left side
- B. Contact the healthcare provider
- C. Assess the fetal heart rate
- D. Check the cervical dilation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the fetal heart rate. When amniotic fluid is greenish-brown, it may indicate the presence of meconium, which can be concerning as it may lead to fetal distress. Assessing the fetal heart rate will help determine the well-being of the fetus and guide further actions to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.
The client is 30 weeks pregnant and experiencing preterm labor. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to promote fetal lung maturity?
- A. Betamethasone (Celestone).
- B. Magnesium sulfate.
- C. Terbutaline (Brethine).
- D. Ampicillin.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Betamethasone (Celestone) is the medication of choice to promote fetal lung maturity in cases of preterm labor. It helps accelerate surfactant production in the fetal lungs, reducing the risk of respiratory distress syndrome. Administering betamethasone to the mother can improve the baby's lung function and overall outcome if preterm birth occurs. Magnesium sulfate is commonly used to prevent seizures in preeclampsia or eclampsia. Terbutaline is a tocolytic agent used to suppress preterm labor contractions. Ampicillin is an antibiotic used for various bacterial infections but does not promote fetal lung maturity.
A woman at 36-weeks' gestation who is Rh negative is admitted to labor and delivery reporting abdominal cramping. She is placed on strict bedrest, and the fetal heart rate and contraction pattern are monitored with an external fetal monitor. The nurse notes a large amount of bright red vaginal bleeding. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority?
- A. Perform a sterile vaginal examination to determine dilatation.
- B. Determine fetal position by performing Leopold maneuvers.
- C. Assess the fetal heart rate and client's contraction pattern.
- D. Confirm Rh and Coombs status for Rho(D) immunoglobulin administration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The highest priority nursing intervention in this scenario is to assess the fetal heart rate and the client's contraction pattern. The presence of a large amount of bright red vaginal bleeding in a woman at 36-weeks' gestation who is Rh negative raises concerns about the well-being of the fetus. Monitoring the fetal heart rate and contraction pattern will provide crucial information about fetal status and help determine the appropriate course of action to ensure the safety and health of both the mother and the baby.
The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow breathing. The client begins to complain of tingling fingers and dizziness. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Administer oxygen by face mask.
- B. Notify the healthcare provider of the client's symptoms.
- C. Have the client breathe into her cupped hands.
- D. Check the client's blood pressure and fetal heart rate.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tingling fingers and dizziness are symptoms of hyperventilation, which can occur with accelerated-blow breathing. Instructing the client to breathe into her cupped hands can help rebreathe exhaled carbon dioxide, which can alleviate the symptoms by restoring the proper balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. This intervention can be effective in managing the client's hyperventilation without the need for additional medical interventions at this point.
A 38-week primigravida who works at a desk job and sits at a computer for 8 hours each day tells the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction would be most effective in preventing pooling of blood in the lower extremities?
- A. Wear support stockings.
- B. Reduce salt in her diet.
- C. Move about every hour.
- D. Avoid constrictive clothing.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, it is common for women to experience swelling due to decreased circulation. Encouraging the patient to move about every hour helps prevent blood pooling in the lower extremities by promoting circulation. This simple activity can help alleviate swelling and discomfort associated with prolonged sitting.