A nurse is caring for a laboring patient with an external fetal monitor. The nurse notices late decelerations on the monitor strip.

What does the nurse interpret this as indicating?

Choice A rationale
Iron supplements should not be administered in one large dose every day. High doses can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and dark stools.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring blood count routinely for several weeks is necessary when a child is taking iron supplements for iron deficiency anemia. This helps to ensure that the supplement is effective and that iron levels are being restored to a healthy range.
Choice C rationale
Iron supplements are not necessarily more effective if administered with meals. In fact, some studies suggest that taking iron supplements with food might decrease the amount of iron absorbed.
Choice D rationale
Restricting fiber from a child’s diet will not necessarily help with the absorption of iron. In fact, a balanced diet, including fiber, is important for overall health.

Choice A rationale
The nurse should reassure the patient by informing her about the hospital’s capabilities to handle such situations. The neonatal unit in the hospital is equipped to handle emergencies and care for preterm babies. This response is factual and directly addresses the patient’s concern about the baby’s well-being.
Choice B rationale
While it’s true that everyone worries about their baby when they’re in labor, this response doesn’t directly address the patient’s concern about the baby’s health and well-being. It’s more of a general statement and doesn’t provide the reassurance the patient is seeking.
Choice C rationale
This response acknowledges the patient’s feelings, which is an important aspect of patient care. However, it doesn’t provide any information or reassurance about the baby’s health. The patient is specifically asking about the baby’s well-being, so the response should focus on that.
Choice D rationale
This response could be misleading. While it’s true that the chances of survival for preterm babies improve with each passing week, it’s not guaranteed that a baby born at 32 weeks will be fine. It’s important to provide accurate information and not give false reassurances.