A nurse is attending to a client in labor who is showing late decelerations on the electronic fetal monitor.

What should be the nurse’s initial course of action?

Insert an IV catheter.

Assist the client into the left-lateral position.

Apply a fetal scalp electrode.

Perform a vaginal exam.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale
While inserting an IV catheter can be a part of the overall management plan for a client showing late decelerations on the electronic fetal monitor, it is not the initial course of action. The primary concern with late decelerations is that they may indicate fetal hypoxia, and the first response should be aimed at improving fetal oxygenation.
Choice B rationale
Assisting the client into the left-lateral position is the correct initial response when late decelerations are observed on the electronic fetal monitor. This position helps to maximize blood flow to the uterus and placenta, thereby improving oxygen delivery to the fetus.
Choice C rationale
Applying a fetal scalp electrode may be useful for obtaining a more accurate fetal heart rate tracing, but it is not the initial response to late decelerations. The priority is to address the potential fetal hypoxia that late decelerations may indicate.
Choice D rationale
Performing a vaginal exam would not be the initial response to late decelerations. While a vaginal exam can provide valuable information about the progress of labor, it does not address the issue of potential fetal hypoxia indicated by late decelerations.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
A client who has a cesarean incision that is well-approximated with no drainage is not at the greatest risk for developing a puerperal infection. While any surgical incision can potentially become infected, if the incision is healing well with no signs of infection, the risk is relatively low.
Choice B rationale
A client who does not wash her hands between perineal care and breastfeeding is increasing her risk of infection, but this is not the greatest risk factor for developing a puerperal infection. Good hand hygiene is important to prevent the spread of germs, but other factors pose a greater risk for puerperal infection.
Choice C rationale
A client who has an episiotomy that is erythematous and has extended into a third-degree laceration is at the greatest risk for developing a puerperal infection. An episiotomy is a surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth to aid a difficult delivery and prevent rupture of tissues. If the episiotomy extends and becomes a third-degree laceration, it involves the vaginal tissue, perineal skin, and the muscle of the perineum, and can extend into the anal sphincter, the muscle that surrounds the anus. This type of wound provides a medium for bacterial growth, increasing the risk of infection.
Choice D rationale
A client who is not breastfeeding and is using measures to suppress lactation is not at the greatest risk for developing a puerperal infection. While breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of certain types of infections, not breastfeeding does not significantly increase the risk of puerperal infection.

A. Depressed fontanels B. Brisk pupillary reaction to light C. Increased sleeping D. Unspecified symptom

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Depressed fontanels are not typically associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in infants. In fact, bulging fontanels may be a sign of increased ICP1516.
Choice B rationale
A brisk pupillary reaction to light is not a specific sign of increased ICP in infants. Changes in pupillary reaction can occur in various conditions and are not definitive indicators of increased ICP.
Choice C rationale
Increased sleeping is a symptom of increased ICP in infants. However, this symptom alone is not enough to diagnose increased ICP as it can be seen in other conditions as well.
Choice D rationale
Unspecified symptom is not a valid choice as it does not provide a specific symptom to evaluate.

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A nurse is attending to a client in labor who is showing late decelerations on the electronic fetal monitor. What should be the nurse’s initial course of action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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A nurse is attending to a client in labor who is showing late decelerations on the electronic fetal monitor.

What should be the nurse’s initial course of action?