A patient who is 42 weeks pregnant is admitted to the hospital in active labor.The patient is upset and says to the nurse, "I haven't felt the baby move for about three or four hours." The fetal heart rate is ranging between 136 and 143.
Which action should the nurse take?
Ask the patient if she has had any alcoholic beverages within the past 24 hours.
Find out if the patient has had any bloody vaginal discharge today.
Tell the patient that the fetal heart rate does not appear to indicate that the baby is in distress.
Explain to the patient the relationship between a woman's anxiety level and her ability to detect movement.
The Correct Answer is C
This is because a normal fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute, and the range of 136 to 143 indicates that the fetus is well-oxygenated and not experiencing hypoxia or acidosis. The nurse should reassure the patient and explain that fetal movement may decrease during labor due to the pressure of the contractions on the uterus and the fetus.
Choice A is wrong because asking the patient about alcohol consumption is irrelevant and insensitive.
Alcohol can affect fetal development and growth, but it does not directly affect fetal movement or heart rate.
Choice B is wrong because bloody vaginal discharge, or bloody show, is a normal sign of cervical dilation and effacement during labor.
It does not indicate fetal distress or placental abruption.
Choice D is wrong because explaining the relationship between anxiety and fetal movement does not address the patient’s concern or provide any factual information.
Anxiety can affect maternal perception of fetal movement, but it does not cause fetal movement to decrease.
The nurse should validate the patient’s feelings and provide factual reassurance.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. The patient uses the sitz bath three times a day.This indicates that the patient understands the benefits of sitz baths for postpartum recovery, such as pain relief, increased blood flow, relaxation, cleansing, and itch relief.Sitz baths can be done with warm or cool water, depending on the preference of the patient.However, they should not be done for more than 20 minutes at a time, as this can cause the stitches in the perineal area to fall apart.
Therefore, choice C is wrong.Choice B is also wrong, as there is no evidence that alternating between warm and cool sitz baths has any additional benefits or effects.
Choice D is wrong, as tightening and relaxing the perineal muscles during a sitz bath is not recommended.This can cause more pain and irritation to the area, and interfere with the healing process.The normal ranges for sitz baths are two to four times a day for up to 20 minutes each.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C and explain why.Nipple stimulation can cause uterine contractions and increase the risk of preterm labor, especially in a twin gestation.
The client should avoid nipple stimulation until term or as instructed by the provider.
Choice A is wrong because cocoa butter can help moisturize the skin and prevent itching and dryness.
It does not prevent stretch marks, but it is not harmful.
Choice B is wrong because resting several times a day, lying on the left side, can improve blood flow to the uterus and reduce swelling in the lower extremities.
It is a recommended self-care measure for the third trimester of pregnancy.
Choice D is wrong because drinking at least eight glasses of water a day can prevent dehydration, constipation, and urinary tract infections.
It can also help regulate body temperature and amniotic fluid volume.
Normal ranges for twin gestation are similar to singleton gestation, except for fundal height and weight gain.
The fundal height should be measured in centimeters from the pubic symphysis to the top of the uterus.
It should be approximately equal to the number of weeks of gestation plus or minus 4 cm until 32 weeks, then it may plateau or decrease slightly.
The weight gain should be between 35 and 45 pounds for a normal-weight woman, 25 to 42 pounds for an overweight woman, and 15 to 25 pounds for an obese woman.
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