A nurse is caring for a client who is at 33 weeks of gestation.

Medical History Gravida 2 Para 1 Preeclampsia
The nurse is assessing the client 24 hr later. How should the nurse interpret the findings?

For each finding, click to specify whether the finding is unrelated to the diagnosis, an indication that the client's condition is improving, or an indication that the client's condition is worsening.

Rationale:

A. Administering oxygen via a nonrebreather mask may be indicated for fetal distress, but the priority in this situation is to protect the umbilical cord from compression and minimize fetal compromise.

B. Cover the umbilical cord with a sterile saline-saturated towel is an appropriate action to prevent the cord from drying out and to reduce infection butimmediate focus should be on relieving pressure on the umbilical cord to ensure adequate fetal perfusion.

C. Initiate an infusion of IV fluids for the client can help stabilize maternal hemodynamics, but it does not directly address the umbilical cord compression. Relieving the pressure on the cord is the immediate intervention to prevent fetal hypoxia.

D. Perform a vaginal examination by applying upward pressure on the presenting part is the priority intervention. In cases of umbilical cord prolapse, the nurse must perform a vaginal examination and apply upward manual pressure on the presenting part (usually the fetal head) to lift it off the umbilical cord. This action relieves compression on the cord and restores blood flow and oxygen delivery to the fetus until an emergency delivery can be performed.

Rationale:

A. Avoiding sterile vaginal examinations is not the appropriate action for managing uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage. Vaginal examinations may be necessary to assess the degree of cervical dilation and to identify potential causes of bleeding.

B. Anticipating a prescription for misoprostol is appropriate for managing uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analog that helps to promote uterine contractions and control bleeding.

C. Obtaining a specimen for a Kleihauer-Betke test is not the priority action in this situation. The Kleihauer-Betke test is used to estimate the amount of fetal-maternal hemorrhage in Rh-negative mothers.

D. Administering betamethasone IM is not indicated for the management of uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage. Betamethasone is a corticosteroid used to promote fetal lung maturity when preterm birth is anticipated.