A first-time pregnant woman at 36 weeks of gestation is admitted to the labor and delivery unit because her membranes ruptured 30 minutes ago.

The initial assessment indicates a 2 cm cervical dilation, 50% effacement, -2 station, vertex presentation, greenish- colored amniotic fluid, and contractions occurring every 3 to 5 minutes.

There is a decrease in fetal heart rate after the last four contraction peaks.

What should the nurse do first?

Administer oxygen via a face mask.

Apply an internal fetal heart monitor.

Use a vibroacoustic stimulator.

Notify the healthcare provider.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale
Administering oxygen via a face mask is the first intervention the nurse should do. This is because the decrease in fetal heart rate after the last four contractions indicates possible fetal distress, which can be caused by insufficient oxygen. Administering oxygen to the mother can increase the amount of oxygen available to the fetus, potentially alleviating the distress.
Choice B rationale
Applying an internal fetal heart monitor can provide more accurate and continuous data about the fetal heart rate and contractions. However, this is usually not the first intervention because it is invasive and can only be done if the cervix is sufficiently dilated and the membranes have ruptured.
Choice C rationale
Using a vibroacoustic stimulator is a method used to wake a sleeping baby in the womb during a non-stress test. It is not typically used in response to signs of fetal distress during labor.

Choice D rationale
Notifying the healthcare provider is important when there are signs of fetal distress. However, the nurse has interventions, such as administering oxygen, that they can and should do immediately while the healthcare provider is being notified.

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While seizure precautions are important for clients receiving certain medications or with certain conditions, they are not typically necessary for clients receiving dopamine. Dopamine, an adrenergic agonist, does not typically increase the risk of seizures.

Choice B rationale

Assessing pupillary response to light hourly is not typically necessary for clients receiving dopamine. Dopamine does not typically affect pupillary response.

Choice C rationale

Measuring urinary output every hour is an important intervention for a client receiving dopamine. Dopamine at low to moderate doses can dilate renal blood vessels, which can increase urine output. Therefore, monitoring urinary output can help assess the effectiveness of the medication and the client’s renal perfusion.

Choice D rationale

While it is important to monitor electrolyte levels in clients receiving certain medications, frequent monitoring of serum potassium is not typically necessary for clients receiving dopamine. Dopamine does not typically affect serum potassium levels.

A. Reiterate the need for the UAP to wear a face mask while in close contact with the client. B. Reassign the UAP to provide care for another client and assume full care of the client. C. Direct the UAP to alert the nurse of any changes in the client’s respiratory status. D. Remind the UAP to wear a fitted respirator mask before entering the client’s room.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is providing care to a client with influenza, a respiratory illness that can be transmitted through droplets when the client coughs or sneezes. Therefore, it is crucial for the UAP to wear a face mask while in close contact with the client to prevent the transmission of the virus. This is in line with the standard precautions for infection control, which recommend the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, and masks when providing care to clients with infectious diseases.
Choice B rationale
Reassigning the UAP to another client and assuming full care of the client is not the most appropriate action in this situation. While it is the nurse’s responsibility to ensure that the UAP is competent and understands the care needs of the client, it is not necessary to reassign the UAP unless there are specific concerns about their ability to provide safe and effective care.
Choice C rationale
While it is important for the UAP to alert the nurse of any changes in the client’s respiratory status, this is not the most immediate action that the nurse should take in this situation. The priority is to ensure that the UAP is wearing appropriate PPE to prevent the transmission of influenza.
Choice D rationale
A fitted respirator mask is typically used when caring for clients with airborne diseases, such as tuberculosis. Influenza is primarily spread through droplets, so a regular face mask is usually sufficient for protection.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client who is hypotensive is receiving dopamine, an adrenergic agonist, intravenously (IV) at the rate of 8 mg/kg/min. Which intervention should the nurse implement while administering this medication?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with influenza requires assistance in transferring to the bedside commode. The nurse observes the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) donning gloves and a gown to assist the client. What action should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse notices the presence of clear fluid on the surgical dressing of a patient who has just returned to the unit following lumbar spinal surgery. What immediate action should the nurse take?

The nurse is preparing a client with breast cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing. Which pathophysiological process should the nurse use to support client teaching?

A client who follows Mormon beliefs is on a clear liquid diet following abdominal surgery. Which menu items should the nurse request for this client? Select all that apply.

An older adult patient arrives at the clinic reporting decreased strength in knees and handgrips. What action should the nurse include in a functional assessment of this patient?

A client with schizophrenia is admitted to the hospital reporting auditory hallucinations. Which query is most important for the nurse to include in the client’s assessment?

A nurse in the emergency department is collecting evidence for a rape kit from a woman who reports that she was raped while returning to her dormitory from the university library. Which intervention is most crucial for the nurse to implement?

An adolescent arrives at the emergency department (ED) with a fever and persistent lower right quadrant abdominal pain. The patient is anxious, fearful, and hyperventilating. What acid-base imbalance does the nurse anticipate the patient will develop?