A nurse is caring for a client who is in the latent phase of labor and reports severe back pain. The vaginal examination reveals that the cervix is dilated 2 cm, 25% effaced, and -2 station.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?
Apply counterpressure during each contraction.
Administer a dose of terbutaline to the client.
Request the provider prescribe a pudendal nerve block.
Place the client in a warm bath.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Counterpressure is a nonpharmacologic pain management technique that involves applying firm, steady pressure to the sacral area during contractions. It is particularly effective for back pain during labor, which is often caused by the occiput of the fetus pressing against the maternal sacrum. This physical pressure helps to distract the brain from the pain signals and can help to realign the fetal head. It provides direct relief by counteracting the pressure from the fetus.
Choice B rationale
Terbutaline is a tocolytic medication that is used to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus and inhibit contractions. Administering this medication would halt the progression of labor, which is not the goal in this situation. The client is in the latent phase of labor, and the primary goal is to manage the pain while allowing the labor process to continue naturally. Therefore, terbutaline is contraindicated as it would interfere with the normal course of labor.
Choice C rationale
A pudendal nerve block is a form of regional anesthesia that anesthetizes the pudendal nerve, providing pain relief to the perineum, vulva, and vagina. It is typically administered in the second stage of labor just before delivery or for an episiotomy repair, as it is not effective for the pain associated with uterine contractions. The client is in the latent phase of labor and experiencing back pain, so a pudendal block would not be an appropriate intervention at this time.
Choice D rationale
While a warm bath can be a useful comfort measure during labor, it is not the most effective intervention for severe back pain specifically caused by the fetal position. Counterpressure provides targeted, direct pressure to the source of the pain, offering more immediate and substantial relief. A warm bath may provide general relaxation and distraction, but it does not address the underlying mechanical cause of the pain as effectively as counterpressure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Digoxin slows the heart rate by inhibiting the sodium-potassium pump, which increases intracellular calcium and enhances myocardial contractility. Tachycardia is an increase in heart rate, which is the opposite of the expected effect of digoxin. Bradycardia is a more common sign of digoxin toxicity.
Choice B rationale
Insomnia is not a recognized or common side effect of digoxin toxicity. The central nervous system effects of digoxin toxicity typically include confusion, fatigue, and lethargy. Digoxin does not directly interfere with the sleep-wake cycle in a way that would cause insomnia.
Choice C rationale
Hearing loss is not a known symptom of digoxin toxicity. The drug's primary effects are on the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems, and to a lesser extent, the central nervous system. Auditory disturbances are not a typical finding associated with the toxic effects of digoxin.
Choice D rationale
Digoxin toxicity often affects the central nervous system and sensory organs. The drug can cause visual disturbances such as blurred vision, photophobia, and a characteristic yellow-green halo around objects (xanthopsia), which is an early sign of toxicity. This effect is a result of digoxin's impact on neural pathways
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A healthcare surrogate, or proxy, is a person designated by the patient themselves through a legal document called a durable power of attorney for healthcare. The provider's role is to provide medical care, not to make legal decisions for the patient. The patient retains the autonomy to choose who will make decisions for them when they are unable to do so. This is a fundamental principle of patient self-determination and legal rights.
Choice B rationale
A patient's competency can fluctuate. In situations of temporary incapacity, such as during a surgical procedure with anesthesia or a period of severe illness, a health care surrogate may make decisions. However, once the patient regains competency and is able to make informed decisions for themselves, they automatically resume control of their health care. This is a core tenet of patient autonomy and the purpose of advance directives.
Choice C rationale
A healthcare surrogate does not have to be a family member. The person designated by the patient can be a friend, a partner, or any trusted individual. The only requirement is that the surrogate is an adult who is willing and able to make healthcare decisions on the patient's behalf. It is a legal designation, not a familial one, that is based on the patient's trust and personal wishes.
Choice D rationale
A provider is legally and ethically obligated to follow a patient's wishes as outlined in their advance directives, as long as those wishes are within the bounds of standard medical practice and are not medically futile. To go against a patient's documented wishes would be a violation of patient autonomy and a breach of the legal protections afforded by advance directives.
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