A nurse on a labor and delivery unit is assisting in the care of a client who is at 39 weeks of gestation and is in the first stage of labor.
Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices below to specify what complication the client is most likely experiencing, 2 actions the nurse should take to address that complication, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client's progress.
The Correct Answer is []
Potential Complication:
Variable Fetal Heart Rate Decelerations: Variable decelerations are typically associated with cord compression, which may occur during labor, especially with oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid). The fetal heart rate drops to 100 bpm with contractions but recovers within 30 seconds, fitting the description of variable decelerations. Since amniotic fluid cushions the umbilical cord, a reduction in fluid can increase the likelihood of cord compression.
Actions to Take:
- Turn client to left side: Repositioning the client to the left lateral position can relieve pressure on the umbilical cord, improve blood flow to the placenta, and reduce the occurrence of variable decelerations.
- Initiate amnioinfusion: An amnioinfusion is a procedure where a sterile fluid is introduced into the uterus to increase the amount of amniotic fluid, reducing cord compression and improving fetal oxygenation. This can help alleviate variable decelerations caused by oligohydramnios.
Parameters to Monitor:
- Fetal Heart Rate Baseline: Monitoring the fetal heart rate baseline is essential to assess if the decelerations are improving after interventions, ensuring the fetus is not in distress and maintaining an appropriate heart rate (120–160 bpm).
- Uterine Contraction Frequency: Monitoring the frequency of contractions is important, especially if an amnioinfusion is performed, to ensure contractions are not becoming too frequent or too intense, which could further compromise fetal oxygenation and lead to distress.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Epidural Anesthesia. Epidural anesthesia involves injecting a local anesthetic into the epidural space, blocking pain signals from the lower body to the brain. It is commonly administered when the cervix is at least 4 cm dilated in active labor.
B. Local anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs a specific, smaller area of the body and is typically used for procedures such as episiotomies or repairs, not for labor pain relief.
C. Pudendal block. A pudendal block is an injection that numbs the perineal area but does not block pain from contractions. It is used for pain relief during the second stage of labor or for episiotomies.
D. General anesthesia. General anesthesia affects the entire body and is rarely used in labor unless there is an emergency cesarean section when regional anesthesia is not possible.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Apply palms of both hands to one side of the uterus: This step helps identify the fetal position (whether the baby is facing left or right), not the fetal lie.
B. Stand facing the client's feet with fingertips outlining cephalic prominence. This maneuver helps determine fetal engagement, not fetal lie.
C. Palpate the fundus of the uterus. The fetal lie refers to whether the fetus is positioned longitudinally or transversely, and this is assessed by palpating the fundus to feel which part of the fetus is located there (e.g., head or buttocks).
D. Perform deep palpation of the uterus. Deep palpation helps identify the presenting part (what part of the fetus is entering the pelvis), not fetal lie.
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