A nurse is caring for a 34-year-old female client who is at 34 weeks of gestation in the antepartum unit.
What is the most appropriate action the nurse should take next?
Administer Rh immunoglobulin (Rho(D) immune globulin)
Perform a continuous fetal heart rate monitoring
Prepare for emergent delivery
Administer a corticosteroid to enhance fetal lung maturity
The Correct Answer is D
A. Administer Rh immunoglobulin (Rho(D) immune globulin): This is important if the mother is Rh-negative, but there is no indication of Rh incompatibility in this scenario.
B. Perform continuous fetal heart rate monitoring: This is essential for ongoing assessment of fetal well-being but may not be the very first immediate action.
C. Prepare for emergent delivery: This would only be necessary if there were signs of fetal or maternal distress, which are not currently indicated.
D. Administer a corticosteroid to enhance fetal lung maturity: Administering corticosteroids like betamethasone or dexamethasone is crucial between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation to enhance lung maturity and reduce the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
High blood glucose levels in early pregnancy increase the risk of congenital heart defects in the baby.
Choice B rationale
Hip dysplasia is not directly associated with maternal diabetes but can be a congenital condition regardless of maternal glucose control.
Choice C rationale
Necrotizing enterocolitis is more related to prematurity and not directly linked to maternal diabetes.
Choice D rationale
Port wine stains are vascular birthmarks and are not associated with maternal blood glucose levels. .
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Maternal fever due to chorioamnionitis would show maternal signs of infection and not directly indicate fetal heart rate changes typical of umbilical cord prolapse.
Choice B rationale
Compression due to lack of amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) typically shows variable decelerations on the fetal monitoring strip but is not urgent without other symptoms.
Choice C rationale
Umbilical cord prolapse is an urgent condition where the umbilical cord slips ahead of the fetus and can be indicated by sudden severe variable decelerations on the fetal monitor strip, requiring immediate intervention.
Choice D rationale
Progression of the fetal head through the vaginal canal shows a gradual change in the fetal heart rate and not the sudden pattern seen with cord prolapse.
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