A nurse on a labor unit is admitting a client who is lying supine in her bed and reports painful contractions. The nurse determines that the contractions have a duration of 1 min and a frequency of 3 min. The nurse obtains the following vital signs: fetal heart rate 130/min,
maternal heart rate 128/min, and maternal blood pressure 82/54 mm Hg. Which of the following is the first priority action for the nurse to take?

Reposition the client with one hip elevated or on her left side.

Notify the provider of the findings.

Ask the client if she needs pain medication.

Have the client empty her bladder.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A) Reposition the client with one hip elevated or on her left side: This is the correct first priority action. The client's vital signs indicate hypotension (low blood pressure), which may be caused by supine hypotensive syndrome. This condition occurs when the pregnant uterus compresses the vena cava, reducing blood return to the heart and causing a drop in blood pressure. Repositioning the client on her left side or elevating one hip can relieve the pressure on the vena cava and
improve blood flow to both the mother and the baby.

B)   Notify the provider of the findings: While it is essential to inform the provider about the client's status, the first priority is to address the potential cause of hypotension and maternal discomfort.

C)   Ask the client if she needs pain medication: Pain management is essential, but the client's vital signs and potential hypotensive condition take precedence as the first priority.
D)   Have the client empty her bladder: Emptying the bladder can help reduce pressure on the vena cava and may improve blood flow, but it is not the first priority action in this situation. Repositioning the client is the initial priority to relieve supine hypotensive syndrome.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A: It is not accurate to say that a repeat cesarean birth will always be safer. The decision for a repeat cesarean or a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) depends on various factors, including the client's medical history and the type of incision used in the previous cesarean.

Choice B: While there are multiple factors to consider, the nurse can still provide general information about the possibility of attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

Choice C: While focusing on the health of the newborn is important, the client's question about the possibility of a future VBAC can be addressed without dismissing her concerns.

Choice D: The type of incision used in the previous cesarean birth (such as low transverse incision) is a significant factor in determining the eligibility for a VBAC in subsequent pregnancies. Clients with certain types of incisions may have a higher likelihood of success with a VBAC.

A. "Maybe next time you can have a vaginal delivery." B. "It sounds like you are feeling sad that things didn't go as planned." C. "You can resume sexual relations sooner than if you had delivered vaginally." D. "At least you know you have a healthy baby."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) "Maybe next time you can have a vaginal delivery.": This response may not be appropriate as it assumes a future pregnancy and vaginal delivery is guaranteed. It may not address the client's current feelings of disappointment adequately.
B) "It sounds like you are feeling sad that things didn't go as planned.": This is the correct answer as it shows empathy and validates the client's feelings of disappointment. It acknowledges the client's emotions and provides support during this sensitive time.

C) "You can resume sexual relations sooner than if you had delivered vaginally.": While this statement may be true, it is not directly related to the client's expressed feelings of disappointment.
D) "At least you know you have a healthy baby.": This response dismisses the client's feelings and may not be wellreceived, as the client is expressing a desire for emotional support rather
than a reassurance about the baby's health.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who delivered a healthy term newborn via cesarean birth. The client asks the nurse, "Is there a chance that I could deliver my next baby without having a cesarean section?" Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who experienced a cesarean birth due to dysfunctional labor. The client states that she is disappointed that she did not have natural childbirth. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is teaching a client who is at 23 weeks of gestation and will return to the facility in 2 days for an amniocentesis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give the client?

A nurse is preparing a client who is in active labor for epidural analgesia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse in a provider's office is caring for a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and scheduled for an amniocentesis. The client asks why she is having an ultrasound prior to the procedure. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

A nurse is assessing a client who is in the third trimester of pregnancy. The nurse should recognize which of the following findings as an expected physiologic change during pregnancy?

A nurse is caring for a client who is in her first trimester of pregnancy and asks the nurse if she can continue to exercise during pregnancy. Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

A nurse midwife is examining a client who is a primigravida at 42 weeks of gestation and states that she believes she is in labor. Which of the following findings confirm to the nurse that the client is in labor?