A nurse is caring for a client who presents to a labor and delivery unit experiencing rapidly progressing labor. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?
Apply perineal pressure to the emerging fetal head
Cut the umbilical cord
Prevent the perineum from tearing
Promote delivery of the placenta
The Correct Answer is A
A. Correct. In rapidly progressing labor, applying gentle perineal pressure helps control the speed of delivery and can prevent or minimize perineal tearing or lacerations. It also helps to manage the delivery of the fetal head, especially in cases where the labor is very rapid which can cause neurologic damage (increased intracranial pressure and dural/subdural tearing).
B. Cutting the umbilical cord is not the priority in this situation. The focus should be on the immediate management of the delivery process and preventing complications related to perineal tearing.
C. Preventing the perineum from tearing: While preventing the perineum from tearing is important, it is not the immediate priority in the context of rapidly progressing labor. The primary focus should be on safely delivering the baby, which involves controlling the delivery of the fetal head to prevent complications.
D. Promoting the delivery of the placenta is a consideration for the third stage of labor, which follows the delivery of the baby. It is not the priority during the active phase of delivery.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is d.
A. Informing the client that the anesthetic effect will last for approximately 6 hours is not the nurse's responsibility. The anesthesia provider usually communicates this information to the client.
B. Administering a 500 mL bolus of 5% dextrose in water prior to induction is the correct action.
Although preloading with a 500–1,000 mL bolus of isotonic crystalloid (e.g., Lactated Ringer’s) is recommended to mitigate hypotension, dextrose‑containing solutions (like D5W) are not used for this preload.
C. Having the client stand at the bedside with her arms at her side is not necessary for the administration of epidural analgesia. The client is usually positioned sitting up or lying on her side during the procedure.
D. Before initiating epidural analgesia, you must establish a baseline fetal heart rate and uterine contraction pattern with at least 20–30 minutes of continuous EFM to ensure fetal well‑being and detect any decelerations or atypical patterns.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is A. Slow-paced breathing
A. Slow-paced breathing is a nonpharmacological comfort measure that involves taking slow, deep breaths to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. It can be an effective technique for managing pain during contractions.
B. Biofeedback involves the use of electronic monitoring to provide feedback about physiological processes, and it is not typically used as a primary nonpharmacological comfort measure for labor pain.
C. Self-hypnosis is a relaxation technique that involves guided imagery and focused concentration to promote relaxation and reduce pain. However, it may require some previous knowledge or practice, and in the context of this scenario, slow-paced breathing may be a more immediate and accessible option.
D. Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow. While acupuncture can be effective for pain management, it may not be readily available in all labor settings, and slow-paced breathing is a more universally applicable option.
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