A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is to undergo an amniotomy. Which of the following is the priority nursing action following this procedure?
Evaluate the client for signs of infection.
Check the fetal heart rate pattern.
Observe the color and consistency of amniotic fluid.
Take the client's temperature.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
The priority nursing action after an amniotomy is to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the baby. While evaluating the client for signs of infection is important, it is not the immediate priority. Infection can be a concern after any invasive procedure, but checking the fetal heart rate pattern takes precedence to assess the baby's condition immediately after the amniotomy.
Choice B rationale:
Checking the fetal heart rate pattern is the priority because it helps to monitor the baby's well-being and detect any signs of fetal distress. Amniotomy is the artificial rupture of the amniotic membrane, and it can sometimes lead to changes in the baby's heart rate, which may indicate distress or other complications. Identifying and addressing these changes
promptly is crucial for the baby's safety.
Choice C rationale:
Observing the color and consistency of amniotic fluid is essential to assess for any abnormalities or meconium staining, which could indicate fetal distress or potential issues. However, this action should follow the immediate concern of checking the fetal heart rate pattern since fetal distress takes priority over amniotic fluid characteristics.
Choice D rationale:
Taking the client's temperature is important, but it is not the priority immediately after an amniotomy. Monitoring the client's temperature is a routine nursing action to detect any signs of infection. However, the priority in this situation is to ensure the baby's well-being through fetal heart rate assessment.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Choice A, fetal head compression, is not the correct answer in this case. Fetal head compression can cause early decelerations in the FHR, not variable decelerations. Early decelerations are often a result of the fetal head being compressed during contractions and are considered benign and expected during labor.
Choice B rationale:
The correct answer is choice B, which is umbilical cord compression. Variable decelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR) can occur during labor due to various rationales, and umbilical cord compression is one of the common causes. When the umbilical cord gets compressed, it can briefly reduce or restrict the blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus, leading to temporary decelerations in the FHR.
Choice C rationale:
Choice C, maternal fever, is also not the correct answer for variable decelerations in FHR. Maternal fever can be a sign of infection, and it may lead to other fetal heart rate abnormalities, such as tachycardia (an increased heart rate), but it is not specifically associated with variable decelerations.
Choice D rationale:
Choice D, polyhydramnios, is not the cause of variable decelerations in this scenario. Polyhydramnios refers to an excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid around the fetus. While it can have implications for pregnancy, it is not directly linked to variable decelerations of the FHR.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Visual disturbances should be reported to the provider because the client is experiencing headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness, which can be signs of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can develop during pregnancy and is characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs like the liver and kidneys. Visual disturbances may indicate neurological involvement and can pose a risk to both the client and the fetus.
Choice B rationale:
Blood pressure should be reported to the provider due to the client's symptoms and medical history. The client's weight gain, swelling of feet and fingers, and 2+ pitting edema suggest fluid retention, which can be associated with preeclampsia. High blood pressure is a key diagnostic criterion for preeclampsia, and the nurse must monitor it closely to assess the severity of the condition and the potential risk to both the client and the fetus.
Choice C rationale:
Respirations do not appear to be a significant concern based on the information provided. While respiratory status is important to monitor during pregnancy, there are no indications in the scenario to suggest respiratory distress or abnormalities that require immediate reporting to the provider.
Choice D rationale:
Deep tendon reflexes are mentioned in the client's medical history but do not show any immediate signs of concern. Absent clonus and 3+ deep tendon reflexes are within the normal range and not typically alarming during pregnancy. However, the nurse should continue to monitor these reflexes during subsequent visits.
Choice E rationale:
Weight gain is mentioned in the medical history but is not currently a critical finding to report. A 6 lb weight gain over 2 weeks may be considered appropriate for a pregnant client at 32 weeks of gestation, but it should be assessed in conjunction with other symptoms for a comprehensive evaluation.
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