A nurse on a labor unit is admitting a client who 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 92/54 mm Hg. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?
Have the client void.
Position the client with one hip elevated.
Ask the client if she needs pain medication.
Notify the provider of the findings.
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is B. Position the client with one hip elevated.
A. Having the client void is a good practice, but it is not the priority action in this situation. The client's vital signs suggest a potential issue with uteroplacental perfusion, and repositioning the client should be the priority.
B. Positioning the client with one hip elevated is the priority action.
The vital signs, specifically the low blood pressure, may be indicative of aortocaval compression (supine hypotension). Elevating one hip helps alleviate this compression, improving blood flow and potentially addressing the decreased blood pressure.
C. Asking the client if she needs pain medication is important, but repositioning the client takes precedence due to the potential issue with blood pressure and uteroplacental perfusion.
D. Notifying the provider is important, but repositioning the client to improve blood flow should be done first. The provider may be notified afterward based on the client's response and ongoing assessment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Left upper quadrant is incorrect. The left upper quadrant is less likely to be the area where the point of maximum intensity of the fetal heart is heard when the fetal position is left occipital anterior.
Choice B Reason:
Right upper quadrant is incorrect. The right upper quadrant is not the typical location for assessing fetal heart tones when the fetal position is left occipital anterior. The heart tones are generally heard more towards the left side.
Choice C Reason:
Left lower quadrant is correct. Placing the ultrasound transducer in the left lower quadrant is likely to provide the best detection of the fetal heart tones in the described fetal position.
Choice D Reason:
Right lower quadrant is incorrect. Similar to the right upper quadrant, the right lower quadrant is not the optimal location for assessing the fetal heart when the fetal position is left occipital anterior. The left side is typically where the point of maximum intensity is found.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Oxygen Saturation: While oxygen saturation is important, it is not the highest priority assessment related to amniotomy. Monitoring oxygen levels is crucial during labor, but other factors take precedence
Choice B Reason:
Temperature:Correct. The nurse should prioritize monitoring the client’s temperature following an amniotomy. If the patient’s temperature is38°C (100.4°F) or higher, the nurse needs to notify the primary care physician promptly. Elevated temperature can indicate infection, which is a significant concern after the rupture of membranes.The nurse should also assess for other signs of infection, such as chills, uterine tenderness on palpation, foul-smelling vaginal drainage, and fetal tachycardia.
Choice C Reason:
Blood pressure is incorrect. Blood pressure is an essential parameter to monitor during labor, but it may not be the immediate priority when planning an amniotomy. Oxygen saturation takes precedence as it provides more direct information about the oxygenation status of both the mother and the fetus.
Choice D Reason:
Urinary output is incorrect. Urinary output is a vital sign to monitor, but it may not be the immediate priority when preparing for an amniotomy. O2 saturation is more directly relevant to the potential effects on the fetus during this intervention.
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