A nurse is caring for a client in active labor who has meconium staining of the amniotic fluid. The nurse notes a reassuring fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing from the external fetal monitor. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform?
Prepare equipment needed for newborn resuscitation
Perform endotracheal suctioning as soon as the fetal head is delivered
Prepare the client for an ultrasound examination
Prepare the client for an emergency cesarean birth
The Correct Answer is A
A. Prepare equipment needed for newborn resuscitation.
A. Preparing equipment needed for newborn resuscitation is the correct action.
Meconium-stained amniotic fluid can increase the risk of meconium aspiration syndrome in the newborn. While the fetal heart rate is reassuring, being prepared for potential newborn resuscitation is prudent given the meconium staining.
B. Performing endotracheal suctioning as soon as the fetal head is delivered is not the current standard of care. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) no longer recommends routine suctioning of meconium-stained infants unless they show signs of respiratory distress, poor muscle tone, or a depressed heart rate.
C. Preparing the client for an ultrasound examination is not the immediate priority. Meconium-stained amniotic fluid may be associated with fetal distress, but the focus should be on the current labor and delivery situation.
D. Preparing the client for an emergency cesarean birth is not the first action.
The presence of meconium staining alone does not necessarily indicate the need for an emergency cesarean birth, especially if the fetal heart rate is reassuring.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Nägele's rule is a method used to estimate the expected date of delivery (EDD) for a pregnant woman. To use Nägele's rule, you start with the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP), add one year, subtract three months, and add seven days.
In this case:
LMP: November 27th
Add one year: November 27th of the following year
Subtract three months: August 27th
Add seven days: September 3rd
Therefore, according to Nägele's rule, the expected date of birth is September 3rd
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is D. Prolonged labor
A. Umbilical cord prolapse is more commonly associated with breech presentations or other abnormal fetal positions. It is not a typical complication of occipital brow presentation.
B. Precipitous labor refers to an unusually rapid labor, and it is not a typical complication associated with occipital brow presentation. Prolonged labor is more likely.
C. Hypertonic uterine dysfunction involves excessive uterine contractions, and it is not specifically associated with occipital brow presentation. It is more commonly associated with other factors, such as maternal anxiety or use of oxytocin.
D. Prolonged labor is a complication that can be associated with occipital brow presentation.
Occipital brow presentation involves the fetal head being partially extended, and it can lead to difficulties in descending through the birth canal. This may result in a prolonged labor process.
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