A nurse is assessing a client who is 6 hr postpartum and is saturating perineal pads every 10 to 15 min.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Collect hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
Administer oxygen via face mask at 10 L/min.
Prepare the client to receive a plasma expander.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
The client is experiencing postpartum hemorrhage, and the nurse should first collect hemoglobin and hematocrit levels to assess the extent of blood loss.
Choice B rationale:
Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is not the immediate priority. It may be done later to monitor fluid balance.
Choice C rationale:
Administering oxygen is important, but it’s not the first action. The nurse needs to assess the extent of blood loss first.
Choice D rationale:
Preparing the client to receive a plasma expander is important, but it’s not the first action. The nurse needs to assess the extent of blood loss first.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Myelomeningocele is the most severe type of spina bifida, a birth defect in which the spinal cord and its protective covering (meninges) protrude outside the body through an opening in the spine. This can cause nerve damage, muscle weakness, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and/or paralysis. Myelomeningocele requires surgical treatment after birth to repair the opening in the spine and prevent infections and further complications. According to the Mayo Clinic, the following actions should be included in the plan of care for a newborn who has a myelomeningocele that is leaking cerebrospinal fluid:
Cover the sac with a sterile, moist dressing to prevent it from drying out and becoming infected.
Place the baby in a prone position (on the stomach) or on the side to avoid putting pressure on the sac.
Monitor the vital signs, especially the temperature, as the baby may have difficulty regulating body temperature.
Administer antibiotics as prescribed to prevent meningitis and other infections.
Prepare for surgical closure of the sac within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth.
Therefore, the correct answer to your question is d. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics. The other options are not appropriate for the immediate postnatal care of a newborn with myelomeningocele. Preparing for surgical closure after 72 hours is too late, as the risk of infection and complications increases with time. Monitoring the rectal temperature every 4 hours is not enough, as the baby may need more frequent checks and interventions to maintain a normal body temperature. Cleansing the site with povidone-iodine is not recommended, as it may irritate the delicate tissues and cause more harm than good
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice Arationale:
Decreasing the rate of IV fluids would not address the issue of late decelerations, which indicate fetal hypoxia.
Choice Brationale:
Fetal scalp stimulation is used to assess fetal well-being, but it would not address the issue of late decelerations.
Choice C rationale:
Administering oxygen via a face mask can increase the amount of oxygen available to the fetus, potentially alleviating the hypoxia causing the late decelerations.
Choice D rationale:
Elevating the client’s head would not address the issue of late decelerations.
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