A nurse is caring for a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation.

Exhibits

For each day 2 finding, click to specify whether the finding indicates that the client's condition has improved, has not changed, or has declined.

A. A 10-year-old child who has sickle cell anemia who reports severe chest pain

Rationale:

A. A 10-year-old child who has sickle cell anemia who reports severe chest pain. Chest pain in a child with sickle cell anemia could indicate vaso-occlusive crisis, acute chest syndrome, or other serious complications requiring immediate assessment and intervention.

B. A PCO2 of 37 mm Hg in a 4-year-old child with asthma may indicate respiratory distress, but severe chest pain in a child with sickle cell anemia takes priority.

C. A urine specific gravity of 1.016 in a 7-year-old child with diabetes insipidus may indicate mild dehydration, but it does not require immediate assessment compared to severe chest pain.

D. A temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) in a 1-year-old toddler with roseola is concerning but does not take precedence over severe chest pain in a child with sickle cell anemi

A.

- A. Administer oxygen via face mask.
- Administering oxygen can be beneficial as it increases maternal oxygenation, which can improve fetal oxygenation. However, it is not the first-line action for late decelerations.Late decelerations are a sign of uteroplacental insufficiency, and while oxygen helps, repositioning the mother is more critical to address the root cause. Oxygen administration is a supportive measure but does not directly address the potential compression of the umbilical cord or placental perfusion issues.

- B. Position the client on her side.
Positioning the client on her side, specifically the left side, can improve uteroplacental circulation, addressing the cause of late decelerations.This position helps to relieve pressure on the inferior vena cava, enhancing blood flow to the placenta and fetus.It is a non-invasive, immediate intervention that can potentially correct the issue of late decelerations quickly.

- C. Increase the infusion rate of the IV fluid.Increasing the infusion rate of IV fluids can improve maternal blood volume, potentially improving placental perfusion.However, this action is not as immediate in effect as repositioning the client and is considered a secondary measure.It may be used in conjunction with other actions but should not be the priority intervention for late decelerations.

- D. Elevate the client's legs.
Elevating the client's legs can increase venous return to the heart, potentially improving maternal cardiac output and placental blood flow.However, this action is less effective than lateral positioning in addressing uteroplacental insufficiency.It is not the first-line response for late decelerations and may not provide the immediate correction needed.