A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin for induction of labor and notes late decelerations of the fetal heart rate on the monitor tracing. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale:

When a newborn is receiving phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia, it is essential to avoid using lotions or ointments on the skin. Phototherapy works by breaking down bilirubin in the skin, and any barriers like lotions or ointments can interfere with this process. The baby's skin needs to be exposed to the light to effectively reduce bilirubin levels.

Choice B rationale:

Dressing the newborn in lightweight clothing is a correct action during phototherapy. The baby should be undressed and placed under the phototherapy lights, with only a diaper on to maximize skin exposure to the light.

Choice C rationale:

Keeping the newborn supine throughout treatment is not a recommended action during phototherapy. To optimize skin exposure to the light, the baby should be placed in a prone position, with the back exposed to the light source.

Choice D rationale:

Measuring the newborn's temperature every 6 hours is essential, but it is not directly related to phototherapy. Temperature monitoring is a routine part of newborn care to assess for signs of infection or other health issues.

Choice A rationale:

Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but serious complication during labor or immediately after delivery, where amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enter the mother's bloodstream and cause a severe reaction. While it may present with sudden and severe symptoms, such as hypotension and respiratory distress, it does not typically cause uterine rupture.

Choice B rationale:

Uterine rupture is a life-threatening emergency that can occur during labor, especially in women with previous uterine surgeries or trauma. The sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, cool skin, and pallor could indicate internal bleeding and shock, which are consistent with uterine rupture. Prolonged bradycardia on the fetal heart rate tracing suggests fetal distress due to compromised blood flow.

Choice C rationale:

Umbilical cord prolapse is another obstetric emergency that occurs when the umbilical cord slips through the cervix and gets compressed during labor, leading to fetal distress. It may cause variable decelerations in fetal heart rate, but it does not explain the maternal symptoms described in the scenario, such as the sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, hypotension, cool skin, and pallor.

Choice D rationale:

Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta covers part or all of the cervix, and it can lead to painless vaginal bleeding. While it can cause fetal distress, it does not explain the maternal symptoms like the sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, hypotension, cool skin, and pallor. Prolonged bradycardia on the fetal heart rate tracing is more suggestive of uterine rupture.