A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperemesis gravidarum.
Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse anticipate?

Step 1: Heart rate of 110/min scores 2 points (normal heart rate >100).

Step 2: Slow weak cry scores 1 point (good strong cry scores 2, no cry scores 0).

Step 3: Some flexion of extremities scores 1 point (active movement scores 2, limp scores 0).

Step 4: Grimace in response to suctioning scores 1 point (coughing or sneezing scores 2, no response scores 0).

Step 5: Body pink, blue extremities scores 1 point (completely pink scores 2, completely blue or pale scores 0).

Step 6: Total Apgar score is the sum of the scores from each category: 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 7. Final calculated answer: 7.

Choice A rationale

Encouraging a hands-and-knees position may help rotate a malpositioned fetus or relieve back pain, but it does not directly address hypotonic uterine dysfunction, which is characterized by weak, ineffective contractions. While it can improve maternal comfort and potentially aid in fetal descent if malpositioning is a contributing factor to slow labor progress, it will not augment the strength or frequency of contractions necessary for cervical dilation.

Choice B rationale

Providing a comfortable environment with dim lighting can promote relaxation and potentially enhance the progress of labor in cases of hypertonic uterine dysfunction (uncoordinated, painful contractions). However, in hypotonic dysfunction, the issue is a lack of adequate uterine muscle activity. While comfort measures are always important, they do not directly stimulate stronger contractions.

Choice C rationale

Administering oxytocin is the primary medical intervention for hypotonic uterine dysfunction. Oxytocin is a synthetic hormone that stimulates uterine smooth muscle to contract more frequently and with greater intensity. This augmentation of uterine activity aims to establish an effective labor pattern, leading to cervical dilation and fetal descent when fetopelvic disproportion has been ruled out.

Choice D rationale

Preparing for an amniotomy (artificial rupture of membranes) might be considered to augment labor if the membranes are intact. However, the question states the membranes have already ruptured. Amniotomy can sometimes stimulate contractions by releasing prostaglandins, but it is not the first-line intervention for established hypotonic dysfunction after membrane rupture, and oxytocin is generally more effective in this situation.