Nokea
While providing care to a client with a head injury, the nurse notes that a client exhibits this posture (refer to figure). What should the nurse document that the client is exhibiting?
- A. Flaccidity
- B. Decorticate posturing
- C. Decerebrate posturing
- D. Rigidity in the upper extremities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Decortication is abnormal posturing seen in the client with lesions that interrupt the corticospinal pathways. In this posturing, the client's arms, wrists, and fingers are flexed with internal rotation and plantar flexion of the feet and legs extended. Flaccidity indicates weak, soft, and flabby muscles that lack normal muscle tone. Decerebration is abnormal posturing and rigidity characterized by extension of the arms and legs, pronation of the arms, plantar flexion, and opisthotonos. Decerebration is usually associated with dysfunction in the brainstem area. Rigidity indicates hardness, stiffness, or inflexibility. Decerebrate posturing is associated with rigidity.
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The nurse is caring for a client in active labor. Which intervention should the nurse implement to prevent fetal heart rate decelerations?
- A. Discourage the client from walking.
- B. Increase the rate of the oxytocin infusion.
- C. Monitor the fetal heart rate every 30 minutes.
- D. Encourage upright or side-lying maternal positions.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Side-lying and upright positions such as walking, standing, and squatting can improve venous return and encourage effective uterine activity. There are many nursing actions to prevent fetal heart rate decelerations without necessitating surgical intervention.
Which piece of equipment will the nurse routinely use to assess the fetal heart rate of a woman at 16 weeks' gestation?
- A. Fetal heart monitor
- B. An adult stethoscope
- C. Bell of a stethoscope
- D. Ultrasound fetoscope
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Toward the end of the first trimester, the fetal heart tones can be heard with an ultrasound fetoscope. Options 2 and 3 are not designed to adequately assess the fetal heart rate. A fetal heart monitor is used during labor or in other situations when the fetal heart rate needs continuous monitoring.
The nurse is measuring the fundal height on a client who is 36 weeks' gestation when the client reports feeling lightheaded. What finding should the nurse expect to note when assessing the client?
- A. Fear
- B. Anemia
- C. A full bladder
- D. Compression of the vena cava
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Compression of the inferior vena cava and aorta by the uterus may cause supine hypotension syndrome (vena cava syndrome) late in pregnancy. Having the client turn onto her left side or elevating the left buttock during fundal height measurement will prevent the problem. Options 1, 2, and 3 are unrelated to this syndrome.
A client diagnosed with urolithiasis is being evaluated to determine the type of calculi that are present. The nurse should plan to keep which item available in the client's room to assist in this process?
- A. A urine strainer
- B. A calorie count sheet
- C. A vital signs graphic sheet
- D. An intake and output record
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The urine is strained until the stone is passed, obtained, and analyzed. Straining the urine will catch small stones that should be sent to the laboratory for analysis. Once the type of stone is determined, an individualized plan of care for prevention and treatment is developed. Options 2, 3, and 4 are unrelated to the question.
A postterm infant, delivered vaginally, is exhibiting tachypnea, grunting, retractions, and nasal flaring. The nurse interprets that these assessment findings are indicative of which condition?
- A. Hypoglycemia
- B. Respiratory distress syndrome
- C. Meconium aspiration syndrome
- D. Transient tachypnea of the newborn
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tachypnea, grunting, retractions, and nasal flaring are symptoms of respiratory distress related to meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). MAS occurs often in postterm infants and develops when meconium in the amniotic fluid enters the lungs during fetal life or at birth. The symptoms noted in the question are unrelated to hypoglycemia. Respiratory distress syndrome is a complication of preterm infants. Transient tachypnea of the newborn is primarily found in infants delivered via cesarean section.