A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labor and is receiving oxytocin via IV infusion. The nurse has applied an internal fetal heart monitor and recognizes an early deceleration of the fetal heart rate tracing. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Continue to monitor the client.
Discontinue the oxytocin.
Assist the client to lay on her right side.
Administer oxygen at 8 L/min per mask.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A. Continue to monitor the client.
Choice A rationale:
Early decelerations are typically benign and are caused by fetal head compression during contractions. They usually do not require any specific intervention other than continued monitoring to ensure they remain early decelerations and do not progress to more concerning patterns.
Choice B rationale:
Discontinuing oxytocin is not necessary for early decelerations, as they are not indicative of fetal distress. Oxytocin would be discontinued if there were signs of more severe decelerations or other complications.
Choice C rationale:
Assisting the client to lay on her right side is not specifically required for early decelerations. This position change is more commonly used for variable or late decelerations to improve uteroplacental blood flow.
Choice D rationale:
Administering oxygen at 8 L/min per mask is not needed for early decelerations. Oxygen is typically reserved for situations where there is evidence of fetal hypoxia or distress.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Intense contractions lasting 45 to 60 seconds are normal during labour and indicate effective uterine activity. This finding does not warrant immediate reassessment.
Choice B rationale:
Progressive sacral discomfort during contractions can be a normal part of labour as the baby descends into the birth canal. It does not necessarily indicate a need for reassessment.
Choice C rationale:
A sense of excitement and warm, flushed skin can be a common emotional and physiological response during labour, particularly as the woman reaches the final stages of delivery. This finding does not necessarily require immediate reassessment.
Choice D rationale:
"An urge to have a bowel movement during contractions”. is the correct answer because it could be an indication that the client is experiencing the urge to push, which means the baby's head is descending and nearing delivery. The nurse should reassess the client promptly to determine if she is fully dilated and ready to push.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice d. “The nurse should measure the newborn’s muscle tone when assigning an Apgar score.”
Choice A rationale:
The Apgar score is determined at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, not at 2 and 7 minutes.
Choice B rationale:
An Apgar score of 8 indicates that the newborn is in good health, not severe distress. Scores of 7-10 are considered normal.
Choice C rationale:
Resuscitation efforts should not be delayed until the first Apgar score is obtained. Immediate resuscitation is initiated if needed, regardless of the Apgar score.
Choice D rationale:
Muscle tone is one of the five criteria assessed in the Apgar score, along with appearance, pulse, grimace, and respiration.
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