A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postpartum. The nurse notes that the client soaked a perineal pad in 10 minutes, the client's skin color is ashen, and she states she feels weak and lightheaded. After applying oxygen via nonrebreather face mask at 10 L/min, which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
Administer oxytocin by continuous IV infusion.
Massage the client's fundus to promote contractions.
Tilt the client onto her right side with her legs elevated to at least 30 degrees.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter can be helpful in measuring urine output and reducing bladder distention, which may impede uterine contractions. However, it is not the immediate next step in managing postpartum hemorrhage.
Choice B reason:
Administering oxytocin by continuous IV infusion is a standard intervention to promote uterine contractions after delivery, which helps to control bleeding. However, before starting an oxytocin infusion, it is important to ensure that there are no retained placental fragments and that the uterus is not already well-contracted.
Choice C reason:
Massaging the client's fundus is the priority action because it can stimulate uterine contractions, which are essential for controlling postpartum bleeding. A firm, contracted uterus helps to compress the blood vessels and prevent excessive bleeding.
Choice D reason:
Tilting the client onto her right side with her legs elevated can help improve venous return and may be part of the management for shock. However, the immediate concern in a postpartum client with excessive bleeding is to manage the bleeding by promoting uterine contractions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Placental insufficiency is a significant cause of a newborn being small for gestational age. It occurs when the placenta cannot deliver an adequate supply of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. This condition can result from several factors, including maternal hypertension, diabetes, and certain infections. Placental insufficiency leads to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which is often diagnosed when a fetus's estimated weight is below the 10th percentile for its gestational age¹². The normal range for fetal growth varies, but a key indicator is the consistent growth along a certain percentile line on growth charts.
Choice B reason:
Fetal hyperinsulinemia is typically associated with mothers who have diabetes. Insulin acts as a growth hormone; thus, excessive insulin can lead to macrosomia, where the newborn is larger than normal for the gestational age, not smaller². Therefore, fetal hyperinsulinemia is not a likely cause of SGA.
Choice C reason:
Preterm delivery can result in a newborn being small for gestational age simply due to the fact that the baby is born before reaching full term and having the opportunity to achieve the expected in-utero growth. However, being born preterm does not necessarily mean the infant is SGA; it means the infant is smaller than full-term babies because they have had less time to grow in utero¹.
Choice D reason:
Perinatal asphyxia refers to a lack of oxygen to the fetus during the time immediately before, during, or after birth. While it can lead to various complications and is a serious condition, it is not a direct cause of a newborn being small for gestational age. Perinatal asphyxia can occur in infants of any gestational age or size².
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Reporting the situation to the provider and preparing for induction of labor may be premature without first attempting to stimulate fetal movement. Nonstress tests can have periods of no observed movement without indicating immediate distress or the need for labor induction.
Choice B reason:
Turning the client onto her left side can improve uteroplacental blood flow, which might indirectly stimulate fetal movement. However, this action alone may not be sufficient to prompt fetal activity during a nonstress test.
Choice C reason:
Encouraging the client to walk around could potentially stimulate fetal movement, but it is not the standard initial response during a nonstress test. Walking without monitoring may also miss capturing any potential movements that occur during that time.
Choice D reason:
Offering the client a snack of orange juice and crackers is a common and non-invasive method to encourage fetal movement. The natural sugars in the orange juice can increase the baby's blood glucose levels, potentially leading to increased activity that can be observed on the nonstress test.
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