A nurse in a labor unit is admitting a patient who reports experiencing painful contractions. The nurse determines that the contractions last for 1 minute and occur every 3 minutes.The nurse records the following vital signs: fetal heart rate of 130/min, maternal heart rate of 128/min, and maternal blood pressure of 92/54 mm Hg. What should the nurse prioritize doing next?
Notify the provider of the findings.
Ask the patient if she needs pain medication.
Have the patient void.
Position the patient with one hip elevated.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is Choice D
Choice A rationale: Notifying the provider is important but not the first priority in this situation. The maternal hypotension (BP 92/54 mm Hg) and elevated maternal heart rate (128/min) suggest decreased perfusion, which can compromise uteroplacental blood flow. Immediate intervention is required before notifying the provider, especially if positioning can restore circulation and fetal oxygenation. Waiting to call without correcting the underlying cause may result in fetal distress or worsening maternal status.
Choice B rationale: While uncontrolled pain may contribute to elevated maternal heart rate, the hypotension and tachycardia suggest a more urgent hemodynamic imbalance. Pain management may become appropriate after stabilizing maternal circulation. Focusing on pain relief first delays essential interventions to improve perfusion, risking fetal compromise due to inadequate uteroplacental oxygen delivery. The fetal heart rate of 130/min is reassuring, but maternal circulation must be prioritized to sustain it.
Choice C rationale: A full bladder can contribute to uterine displacement, but there is no indication in the scenario that bladder distention is an issue. Voiding may be done later but does not address the immediate concern of maternal hypotension and compensatory tachycardia. Uteroplacental perfusion depends heavily on maternal blood pressure, and bladder status has secondary importance in the acute phase of circulatory compromise.
Choice D rationale: Elevating one hip improves venous return and cardiac output by relieving pressure on the inferior vena cava, which is compressed by the gravid uterus in the supine position. This correction reduces hypotension and restores uteroplacental perfusion. The maneuver is a first-line response for maternal hypotension in labor, helping stabilize both mother and fetus quickly. Fetal oxygen delivery depends on adequate maternal perfusion, which this position supports.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Assisting with amnioinfusion is not the first priority. Amnioinfusion is a procedure where a sterile solution is introduced into the uterus to increase the volume of fluid around the fetus. It is typically used in cases of oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) or to dilute thick meconium in the amniotic fluid.
Choice B rationale
Inserting a scalp electrode is not the first priority. A scalp electrode is a device used to monitor the fetal heart rate more accurately. It is usually used when external monitoring does not provide a clear reading or when there is a need for continuous detailed monitoring.
Choice C rationale
Changing the woman’s position is the correct action. Late decelerations in the fetal heart rate can be a sign of uteroplacental insufficiency, a condition where the placenta cannot deliver adequate oxygen to the fetus. Changing the woman’s position can improve placental blood flow and potentially improve the oxygen supply to the fetus.
Choice D rationale
Notifying the health care provider is important but not the first priority. The nurse should first attempt interventions such as changing the woman’s position to improve the fetal heart rate.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Occiput posterior is a term used to describe the position of the baby’s head during labor and delivery, not a condition related to a collection of blood beneath the newborn’s scalp.
Choice B rationale
Caput succedaneum refers to a localized swelling of the scalp of a newborn caused by pressure on the head during delivery. It is not limited by suture lines and usually resolves within a few days.
Choice C rationale
Cephalohematoma is a collection of blood under the scalp of a newborn baby, specifically between the scalp and the skull, and does not cross the suture lines. It is usually caused by minor trauma to the head during childbirth.
Choice D rationale
Sinciput is a term used to describe the part of the fetal head that is presented first in childbirth, not a condition related to a collection of blood beneath the newborn’s scalp.
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