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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Rubella immunization should be given in the early postpartum period.This is because rubella infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects or miscarriage, and rubella vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy.Therefore, the best time to vaccinate a woman who is not immune to rubella is after she delivers her baby.

Choice B is wrong because gamma globulin is not effective for preventing rubella infection or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).Gamma globulin is a preparation of antibodies that can provide temporary protection against some infections, but it does not induce lasting immunity.

Choice C is wrong because gamma globulin should not be given at the next visit for the same reason as choice B.Moreover, gamma globulin can interfere with the response to live vaccines such as rubella vaccine, so it should not be given within 3 months before or after vaccination.

Choice D is wrong because rubella immunization should not be given at the next visit or during pregnancy, as it can pose a risk to the fetus.Rubella vaccine is a live attenuated virus vaccine that can cross the placenta and infect the fetus.The risk of CRS from vaccination during pregnancy is low, but it cannot be ruled out completely.Therefore, women who receive rubella vaccine should avoid pregnancy for at least 4 weeks after vaccination.

A. This patient should begin to time the contractions. B. This patient should document fetal activity daily. C. This patient may be losing her mucus plug. D. This patient’s contractions are normal at this time.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, painless uterine contractions that occur throughout pregnancy, but are more noticeable in the third trimester.They do not indicate labor, but rather help in softening and ripening the cervix.

Choice A is wrong because the patient does not need to time the contractions unless they become regular, painful, and closer together, which are signs of true labor.

Choice B is wrong because documenting fetal activity daily is not related to Braxton Hicks contractions.Fetal activity is monitored to assess fetal well-being and detect any signs of fetal distress.

Choice C is wrong because losing the mucus plug is also not related to Braxton Hicks contractions.The mucus plug is a thick plug of mucus that seals the cervical canal during pregnancy and may be expelled before or during labor.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is D

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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?