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 C

Explanation

A: Taking deep, cleansing breaths and breathing naturally is not the appropriate technique during the crowning phase of labor, as it can increase the risk of rapid birth and potential perineal trauma.

C: During a precipitous labor with the baby's head crowning, the nurse should encourage the mother to perform blowing or panting breaths during contractions. This technique helps to slow down the delivery process and allows the perineum to stretch gradually, reducing the risk of tearing or other trauma.

B: In the case of precipitous labor, actively pushing as hard as possible can increase the risk of rapid birth and potential complications for both the mother and the baby.

D: Slowpaced breathing patterns are not recommended during the crowning phase of labor, as they may not effectively control the birth process.

A. Elevate the client's legs. B. Place the client in a lateral position. C. Monitor vital signs every 5 minutes. D. Notify the provider.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A: Elevating the client's legs is a measure to increase blood flow to the brain in cases of orthostatic hypotension but may not be sufficient to improve fetal oxygenation in this situation. The lateral position is preferred as it improves uterine perfusion.

Choice B: The client's blood pressure of 80/40 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which can be a common side effect of epidural anesthesia. The priority nursing action is to place the client in a lateral (sidelying) position to improve blood flow to vital organs, including the uterus and placenta, and prevent further compromise of fetal oxygenation.

Choice C: Monitoring vital signs every 5 minutes is an important nursing action, but the priority in this situation is to address the hypotension and improve maternal and fetal wellbeing first.

Choice D: Notifying the provider is an important step, but it should not be the first action. Immediate intervention to address the hypotension is required to improve fetal oxygenation.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and has an epidural anesthesia block. The client's blood pressure is 80/40 mm Hg, and the fetal heart rate is 140/min. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and has an external fetal monitor. The nurse observes late decelerations on the monitor strip and interprets them as indicating which of the following?

A nurse is caring for a client who is a primigravida, at term, and having contractions. The client states that she is "not really sure if she is in labor or not." Which of the following should the nurse recognize as the most reliable sign of true labor?

A nurse is caring for a client who has rubella at the time of delivery and asks why her newborn is being placed in isolation. 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?

A nurse is preparing to measure the fundal height of a client who is at 22 weeks of gestation. At which location should the nurse expect to palpate the fundus?

A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a maternal serum alphafetoprotein test at 15 weeks of gestation. The nurse provides which of the following explanations about this test to the client?

A nurse in a prenatal clinic is teaching a client who has a new prescription for dinoprostone (Cervidil) gel. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?