A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor.The nurse observes late decelerations of the fetal heart rate on the external fetal monitor.
After placing the client in a side-lying position, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale

A Coombs positive result does not necessarily mean that the newborn will require immediate intervention. It indicates that the newborn should be monitored for potential complications such as jaundice and anemia.
Choice B rationale
While the newborn’s glucose level is within the normal range, this does not directly relate to the Coombs positive result.
Choice C rationale
A Coombs positive result may indicate Rh or ABO incompatibility, but this does not directly answer the question of what the nurse should anticipate.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. A Coombs positive result indicates that the newborn should be monitored for signs of jaundice, as this could be a potential complication.

• Fundus 2 cm above umbilicus: This could be a sign of potential worsening condition as it might indicate uterine atony, a condition in which the uterus fails to contract after the delivery, leading to continuous bleeding.
• Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg: This could be an indication of potential improvement as it is within the normal range, and lower than the previous reading which was elevated due to preeclampsia.
• Heart rate 110/min: This could be a sign of potential worsening condition as it is slightly elevated, which could be a response to blood loss.
• Continued heavy vaginal bleeding: This could be a sign of potential worsening condition as it might indicate postpartum hemorrhage.
• Client reports feeling dizzy: This could be a sign of potential worsening condition as it might be due to blood loss leading to decreased perfusion to the brain.
• Cloudy urine: This is unrelated to the diagnosis. It could be due to dehydration or a urinary tract infection, but it’s not directly related to preeclampsia or postpartum hemorrhage.