A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin for the induction of labor and notes late decelerations of the fetal heart rate on the monitor tracing. The nurse should take which of the following actions?
Administer misoprostol 25 mcg vaginally.
Place the client in a lateral position.
Administer oxygen via a face mask at 2 L/min.
Decrease the maintenance IV solution infusion rate.
The Correct Answer is B
Late decelerations are a type of fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern that indicate fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen) due to uteroplacental insufficiency (decreased blood flow to the placenta). They are defined as a gradual decrease in FHR that occurs after the peak of a uterine contraction and returns to baseline after the end of the contraction¹. Late decelerations are associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, such as low Apgar scores, acidosis, and neonatal intensive care unit admission².
The nurse should take immediate actions to improve fetal oxygenation and blood flow when late decelerations are detected. The first and most important action is to place the client in a lateral position, either left or right, to reduce compression of the inferior vena cava and increase uterine perfusion. This can improve fetal oxygenation and reduce the severity of late decelerations¹³.
The other actions that the nurse should take are:
- Discontinue oxytocin infusion if it is being used for induction or augmentation of labor, as it can cause uterine tachysystole (excessive contractions) and worsen uteroplacental insufficiency¹³.
- Administer oxygen to the client at 8 to 10 L/min via a nonrebreather face mask to increase maternal oxygen saturation and fetal oxygen delivery¹³.
- Increase intravenous (IV) fluid infusion rate to maintain maternal hydration and blood pressure, which can improve uterine blood flow¹³.
- Notify the provider and prepare for possible operative delivery if late decelerations persist or fetal distress occurs¹³.
- Provide emotional support and reassurance to the client and family, as late decelerations can cause anxiety and fear⁴.
The other options are not actions that the nurse should take:
- a) Administer misoprostol 25 mcg vaginally. This is not correct because misoprostol is a medication that is used to induce labor by ripening the cervix and stimulating contractions. It is not indicated for late decelerations and can cause uterine hyperstimulation and fetal distress⁵.
- c) Administer oxygen via a face mask at 2 L/min. This is not correct because this is too low of an oxygen flow rate to improve fetal oxygenation. The recommended oxygen flow rate for late decelerations is 8 to 10 L/min via a nonrebreather face mask¹³.
- d) Decrease the maintenance IV solution infusion rate. This is not correct because this can cause maternal dehydration and hypotension, which can reduce uterine blood flow and worsen fetal hypoxia. The nurse should increase the IV fluid infusion rate to maintain maternal hydration and blood pressure¹³.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Platelets 170,000/mm³ is a normal platelet count in pregnancy. The normal range for platelets in pregnancy is 150,000 to 450,000/mm³⁷⁸.
B. This HbA1c level indicates good control of blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. For a pregnant woman with type 1 diabetes, a target HbA1c of less than 6-7% is often recommended to reduce the risk of complications.
C. This blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is elevated. Normal BUN levels typically range from 7 to 20 mg/dL. Elevated BUN may indicate renal impairment, which can be a concern for a pregnant woman with type 1 diabetes, as it could suggest developing diabetic nephropathy or other kidney-related issues.
D. Hct 34% is a normal hematocrit level in pregnancy. The normal range for hematocrit in pregnancy is 30% to 36%.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Maternal hypotension is a common complication of spinal anesthesia for cesarean section, and it can cause adverse effects on the mother and the fetus, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, decreased placental perfusion, fetal acidosis, and fetal distress¹². To prevent or treat maternal hypotension, various techniques have been used, such as fluid preloading or co-loading, vasopressors, lower limb compression devices, and left lateral tilt position¹². Among these, fluid administration is the most widely used and recommended
intervention¹²³. A bolus infusion of lactated Ringer's or other crystalloid solution can increase the intravascular volume and cardiac output, and counteract the decrease in blood pressure caused by spinal anaesthesia¹²³. The optimal timing and amount of fluid administration may vary depending on the individual patient's condition and response, but generally a bolus of 10 to 20 mL/kg is suggested before or during spinal anaesthesia¹²³.
The other options are incorrect because:
b) Applying oxygen via nonrebreather face mask at 2 L/min is not an effective intervention for maternal hypotension. Oxygen supplementation may be beneficial for improving fetal oxygenation in case of fetal distress, but it does not directly increase maternal blood pressure or cardiac output¹². Moreover, 2 L/min is a low flow rate for a nonrebreather face mask, which requires at least 10 L/min to deliver high concentrations of oxygen⁴.
c) Positioning the client in a knee-chest position is not a recommended intervention for maternal hypotension. This position may increase venous return and cardiac output in some cases, but it also increases intra-abdominal pressure and reduces uterine blood flow, which can compromise fetal oxygenation and well-being. A left lateral tilt position of 15 to 30 degrees is preferred to avoid aortocaval compression and improve placental perfusion¹².
d) Giving terbutaline subcutaneously is not an appropriate intervention for maternal hypotension. Terbutaline is a beta-agonist that relaxes the uterine smooth muscle and prevents preterm labor contractions. It has no direct effect on maternal blood pressure or cardiac output, and it may cause maternal tachycardia, palpitations, tremors, and hypokalemia as side effects. Vasopressors such as ephedrine or phenylephrine are more effective and safer drugs for treating maternal hypotension¹².
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