A nurse is creating the plan of care for a client who is at 39 weeks of gestation and in active labor. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Insert an indwelling urinary catheter to maintain an empty blaadder at all times.
Keep four side rails up while the client is in bed, maintaining strict bedrest.
Monitor the fetal heart rate (FHR) hourly during active labor.
Check the cervix to determine how close the time of delivery may be prior to analgesic administration.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A: Insert an indwelling urinary catheter to maintain an empty bladder at all times.
Routinely inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is not necessary for maintaining an empty bladder during labor. While it is important to ensure the client has a voiding schedule, the use of an indwelling catheter should be reserved for specific medical indications, such as when the client is unable to void or has received an epidural. Indwelling catheters can increase the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and should be used judiciously.
Choice B: Keep four side rails up while the client is in bed, maintaining strict bedrest.
Keeping all four side rails up and maintaining strict bedrest is not appropriate during active labor. This practice can limit the client’s movement, which is essential for comfort and progress during labor. Movement and changing positions can help labor progress and reduce pain. Strict bedrest is generally reserved for specific medical conditions, such as preterm labor or other complications.
Choice C: Monitor the fetal heart rate (FHR) hourly during active labor.
Monitoring the fetal heart rate (FHR) is crucial during labor to assess the well-being of the fetus. However, hourly monitoring may not be sufficient. Guidelines recommend more frequent monitoring, typically every 15-30 minutes during the active phase of labor and every 5-15 minutes during the second stage. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring may be used for high-risk pregnancies or if there are signs of fetal distress.
Choice D: Check the cervix to determine how close the time of delivery may be prior to analgesic administration.
Checking the cervix to determine how close the time of delivery may be prior to analgesic administration is important. This practice helps ensure that analgesics are administered at an appropriate time, avoiding potential complications such as delayed delivery or inadequate pain relief. Cervical checks provide valuable information about the progress of labor and help guide clinical decisions regarding pain management and delivery planning.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A: Urinary frequency is a common symptom during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester and near the end of the pregnancy. During the first trimester, it is mainly due to
hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the pelvic area. In the later stages, it is caused by the growing uterus putting pressure on the bladder.
Choice B: Dismissing the client's concern as a minor inconvenience is not appropriate and may disregard the client's experience.
Choice C: While it is true that each individual client's experience may vary, it is important to provide the client with information regarding common patterns.
Choice D: Providing accurate information about the duration of urinary frequency is important. While it may last until the 12th week for many women, it does not continue throughout the entire pregnancy for most individuals, regardless of bladder tone.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A: Posterior neck flexion is not an expected change during pregnancy.
Choice B: Increased abdominal muscle tone is not an expected change during pregnancy. In fact, the abdominal muscles tend to stretch and may become less toned as the uterus expands.
Choice C: During pregnancy, the woman's center of gravity shifts due to the growing uterus, leading to an increased arch in the lower back known as lordosis. This change helps to maintain balance and reduce the strain on the back. The other options are not expected physiologic changes during pregnancy.
Choice D: Decreased mobility of pelvic joints is not an expected change during pregnancy. Some joint laxity may occur due to hormonal changes, but decreased mobility is not typical.
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