A client who is 39 weeks gestation calls the labor and delivery unit to report that she is experiencing mild, irregular contractions. She tells the practical nurse (PN) that the healthcare provider examined her in the clinic today, and her cervix was 3 cm dilated, with intact membranes, and the presenting part was at -1 station. Which intervention should the PN implement?
Tell her to empty her bladder and call if she has a bloody show.
Direct her to come to the unit for impending delivery.
Ask the charge nurse for further instructions.
Encourage ambulation until the contractions are regular.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A: Tell her to empty her bladder and call if she has a bloody show.
Choice A rationale:
The client is 39 weeks gestation and experiencing mild, irregular contractions. The fact that her cervix is already 3 cm dilated and the presenting part is at -1 station indicates that she is in early labor. Emptying the bladder can help relieve pressure on the cervix and promote progress in labor. Instructing her to call if she has a bloody show is essential because it could indicate that her labor is advancing, and she may need to come to the labor and delivery unit soon.
Choice B rationale:
Directing her to come to the unit for impending delivery is not appropriate at this stage, as she is only experiencing mild, irregular contractions and is likely in early labor. Coming to the unit too early may lead to unnecessary interventions and discomfort for the client.
Choice C rationale:
Asking the charge nurse for further instructions is not necessary in this situation. The client's condition is not emergent, and the practical nurse can handle the situation appropriately based on the information provided.
Choice D rationale:
Encouraging ambulation until the contractions are regular might be beneficial in some cases to promote labor progress. However, given that the client is already 3 cm dilated and experiencing mild, irregular contractions, it's better to address the issue of bladder emptying and potential bloody show.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice D
Choice A: Excruciating pain
- Rationale: While partial thickness burns can be painful, especially in the first few days, excruciating pain is less likely for a stable patient 3 days post-burn. Pain management is a crucial aspect of burn care, but excruciating pain might indicate deeper burns or complications like infection.
Choice B: Elevated blood pressure
- Rationale: Elevated blood pressure is not a typical complication of a partial thickness burn. In fact, burn patients are more at risk for hypotension (low blood pressure) due to fluid loss.
Choice C: Compartment syndrome
- Rationale: Compartment syndrome is a serious complication that typically occurs with deep burns or traumatic injuries. It's caused by increased pressure within a muscle compartment, restricting blood flow and potentially leading to tissue death. While a possibility, it's less likely for a partial thickness burn 3 days after the injury.
Choice D: Curling's Ulcer
- Rationale: Curling's ulcer is a peptic ulcer (stomach ulcer) that can develop as a complication of major burns. This is because burns trigger a massive inflammatory response, releasing stress hormones that increase stomach acid production, making the stomach lining more susceptible to ulcers. Given the extensive burn area (30% TBSA) and the timeframe (3 days post-burn), Curling's ulcer becomes a significant concern.
Therefore, the correct answer is: Choice D: Curling's Ulcer
Explanation:
- A 30% TBSA partial thickness burn is a significant injury that triggers a systemic inflammatory response.
- Three days post-burn falls within the timeframe when Curling's ulcer can develop due to the increased stress hormones and gastric acid production.
- While pain management and monitoring for compartment syndrome are important, Curling's ulcer poses a more significant threat in this scenario.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The risk of infection is not the priority nursing problem in this scenario. While the darkened membranes and smoky breath may be indicative of potential infection, addressing ineffective airway clearance is more urgent as it directly impacts the client's breathing and oxygenation.
Choice B rationale:
Ineffective airway clearance should be the priority nursing problem. Darkened membranes of the mouth and smoky breath suggest possible inhalation injury or airway obstruction.
Maintaining a patent airway is crucial for adequate oxygenation and to prevent further complications.
Choice C rationale:
Acute pain is not the priority nursing problem in this case. Although it is essential to address any discomfort the client may be experiencing, it takes a back seat to the more critical issue of ineffective airway clearance.
Choice D rationale:
Disturbed body image is not the priority nursing problem when the client has darkened mouth membranes and smoky breath. While it is important to address body image concerns, the immediate focus should be on managing and improving the client's airway clearance.
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