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 B
Explanation
The correct answer is B.
A. Place warm, moist packs on the breasts: Warm, moist packs can increase blood flow and may actually stimulate milk production. This is not an appropriate intervention for lactation suppression.
B. Apply cabbage leaves to the breasts: This is the correct intervention. Cabbage leaves have been traditionally used to help reduce engorgement and suppress lactation. The mechanism is not fully understood, but it is believed that compounds in cabbage may help decrease milk supply.
C. Wear a loose-fitting bra: Wearing a loose-fitting bra can help reduce friction and discomfort, but it is not a specific intervention for lactation suppression.
D. Put green teabags on the breast: Green teabags are not commonly recommended for lactation suppression. Cabbage leaves are more widely accepted for this purpose.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is A. Variable decelerations are due to umbilical cord compression.
A. Variable decelerations are often associated with umbilical cord compression. This compression can occur when the umbilical cord is briefly compressed or squeezed, leading to transient decreases in fetal heart rate.

B. Variable decelerations are not typically a result of the administration of IV narcotic analgesics. They are more commonly associated with cord compression or other factors affecting fetal oxygenation.
C. Variable decelerations are not generally caused by uteroplacental insufficiency. Uteroplacental insufficiency is more commonly associated with late decelerations.
D. Variable decelerations are not primarily related to fetal head compression. While head compression can cause certain types of decelerations, variable decelerations are specifically associated with umbilical cord compression.
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