A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 weeks pregnant and has preeclampsia.

Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as a manifestation of severe preeclampsia?

The correct answer is d. Notify the health care provider.

Rationale for Choice A:

• Increasing the rate of oxytocin infusion is contraindicated in this situation.
• Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions,and the client is already experiencing excessively frequent and prolonged contractions.
• Increased oxytocin could further compromise uteroplacental blood flow and exacerbate fetal distress.
• It could also put the client at higher risk for uterine rupture,a serious complication associated with oxytocin use.

Rationale for Choice B:

• While administering oxygen is a common intervention for fetal distress,it's not the priority action in this case.
• Late decelerations in fetal heart rate are typically caused by uteroplacental insufficiency,which means the fetus isn't receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients from the placenta.
• Oxygen administered to the mother may not significantly improve fetal oxygenation if the underlying issue is impaired placental perfusion.

Rationale for Choice C:

• Turning the client to her left side is a recommended position to improve placental blood flow.
• However,in this situation,it's not the priority action given the presence of late decelerations and excessive uterine contractions.
• It may be a helpful adjunct measure,but it won't address the primary cause of fetal distress.

Rationale for Choice D:

• Notifying the health care provider is the most crucial action because:
  • The client has severe pre-eclampsia,a serious condition that requires close monitoring and management.
  • The frequent and prolonged contractions,along with late decelerations in the fetal heart rate,indicate potential fetal distress.
  • The health care provider needs to be aware of these changes to make timely decisions regarding interventions,such as:
    • Adjusting the oxytocin infusion
    • Expediting delivery if necessary
    • Implementing other measures to improve fetal well-being
    • Closely monitoring the mother's condition to prevent complications of pre-eclampsia

Oligohydramnios on ultrasound.Oligohydramnios is a condition where the amniotic fluid volume is less than expected for gestational age.It can be a sign of fetal compromise due to various causes, such as renal abnormalities, placental insufficiency, premature rupture of membranes, or chromosomal anomalies.Oligohydramnios can lead to complications such as fetal deformities, preterm birth, infection, or stillbirth.

Choice A is wrong because a fetal heart rate of 140 beats/min is within the normal range for most of pregnancy.

Choice B is wrong because fetal movement of 10 times in an hour is also within the normal range and indicates fetal well-being.

Choice D is wrong because a reactive nonstress test is a reassuring sign that the fetus is not hypoxic or stressed.

Normal ranges:

• Amniotic fluid index (AFI): 5-25 cm

• Fetal heart rate: 110-160 beats/min

• Fetal movement: at least 10 movements in 2 hours

• Nonstress test: at least two accelerations of fetal heart rate of 15 beats/min for 15 seconds or more in 20 minutes