A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who had an epidural anesthesia block during the early stages of labor. The client's blood pressure is 80/40 mm Hg and the fetal heart recording is 140/min. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Place the client in a lateral position.

Notify the provider.

Increase IV ﬂuid rate.

Elevate the legs.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason:
Placing the client in a lateral position is the first action the nurse should take, as it can improve maternal and fetal circulation by relieving pressure on the inferior vena cava. The client's blood pressure is low, which can indicate hypotension due to epidural anesthesia or supine hypotension syndrome.

Choice B reason:
Notifying the provider is an important action, as it can facilitate further interventions and monitoring for the client and the fetus. However, this is not the first action the nurse should take, as it does not address the immediate problem of hypotension.

Choice C reason:
Increasing IV ﬂuid rate is an important action, as it can expand blood volume and increase blood pressure. However, this is not the first action the nurse should take, as it may not be eﬀective if the client is in a supine position.

Choice D reason:
Elevating the legs is an important action, as it can enhance venous return and increase blood pressure. However, this is not the first action the nurse should take, as it may worsen supine hypotension syndrome by increasing pressure on the inferior vena cava.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: A precipitous birth is a delivery that occurs in less than 3 hours from the onset of labor. This can cause uterine atony, which is the failure of the uterus to contract and compress the blood vessels after the placenta is delivered. Uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage²³.

Choice B reason: A small for gestational age newborn is not a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. It may be associated with other conditions, such as placental insufficiency or intrauterine growth restriction, but these do not directly increase the risk of bleeding after delivery.

Choice C reason: A two-vessel umbilical cord is a cord that has one artery and one vein instead of the normal two arteries and one vein. This can be a marker for congenital anomalies or placental abnormalities, but it does not increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage by itself.

Choice D reason: Gestational hypertension is a condition where the blood pressure rises above 140/90 mm Hg after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It can lead to complications such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome, which can aﬀect the clotting system and cause bleeding disorders. However, gestational hypertension alone does not increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage unless it is associated with these severe conditions¹⁴.

A. Fundus soft, 2 fingerbreadths below the umbilicus B. Fundus firm, 1 fingerbreadth below the umbilicus C. Fundus firm, 4 fingerbreadths above the umbilicus D. Fundus soft, to the right of the umbilicus

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Fundus soft, 2 fingerbreadths below the umbilicus is incorrect, as this finding indicates uterine atony and subinvolution. The fundus is the upper part of the uterus that can be palpated through the abdomen after birth. The fundus should be firm and midline to indicate adequate uterine contraction and involution. A soft or boggy fundus can increase the risk of hemorrhage and infection.

Choice B reason: Fundus firm, 1 fingerbreadth below the umbilicus is correct, as this finding indicates normal uterine contraction and involution. The fundus is normally at the level of the umbilicus immediately after birth and then descends about one fingerbreadth per day. A firm and midline fundus can prevent excessive bleeding and promote healing.

Choice C reason: Fundus firm, 4 fingerbreadths above the umbilicus is incorrect, as this finding indicates a higher than expected fundal height for a client who is 24 hr postpartum. The fundus is normally at the level of the umbilicus immediately after birth and then descends about one fingerbreadth per day. A high fundal height can indicate uterine atony, retained placental fragments, or bladder distension.

Choice D reason: Fundus soft, to the right of the umbilicus is incorrect, as this finding indicates uterine atony and bladder distension. The fundus should be firm and midline to indicate adequate uterine contraction and involution. A deviated fundus can indicate bladder distension, which can interfere with uterine contraction and involution and increase the risk of hemorrhage and infection.

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A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who had an epidural anesthesia block during the early stages of labor. The client's blood pressure is 80/40 mm Hg and the fetal heart recording is 140/min. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who experienced a vaginal birth 2 hours ago. The nurse should identify that which of the following findings places the client at risk for a postpartum hemorrhage?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is collecting data from a client who is 24 hr postpartum. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is in the second stage of labor. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about signs preceding the onset of labor with a client who is at 39 weeks of gestation. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

A nurse is caring for a client 2 hr following a spontaneous vaginal delivery and notes that the client has saturated two perineal pads with blood in a 30-min period. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A nurse is preparing to administer dinoprostone gel to a client who is pregnant. The client asks the nurse about the purpose of the medication. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A nurse is collecting data from a client who is postpartum. Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to the possibility of a postpartum complication?

A nurse is assisting a nurse midwife in examining a client who is a primigravida at 42 weeks of gestation and states that she thinks she is in labor. Which of the following findings confirm that the client is in labor?

A nurse is collecting data from a client who is 3 days postpartum and is breastfeeding. Her fundus is three fingerbreadths below the umbilicus, and her lochia rubra is moderate. Her breasts feel hard and warm. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse give the client?

A nurse is collecting data from a client who is 12 hr postpartum following a spontaneous vaginal delivery. The nurse should expect to find the uterine fundus at which of the following positions on the client's abdomen?