A patient’s amniotic fluid is meconium-stained. Which action should the nurse plan to take?
Take the mother’s vital signs every 15 minutes.
Send a specimen of the fluid to the laboratory for analysis.
Have a suction catheter available for use at delivery.
Prepare a slide of the fluid for fern testing.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is choice C. Have a suction catheter available for use at delivery. This is because meconium-stained amniotic fluid indicates that the fetus has passed meconium (first stool) before birth, which can be a sign of fetal distress or hypoxia. Meconium can block the airways and cause breathing problems for the newborn, so suctioning the mouth and nose (or the trachea if needed) is important to prevent meconium aspiration syndrome.
Choice A is wrong because taking the mother’s vital signs every 15 minutes is not a specific intervention for meconium-stained amniotic fluid.
Vital signs should be monitored regularly during labor regardless of the fluid color.
Choice B is wrong because sending a specimen of the fluid to the laboratory for analysis is not a priority action.The color and consistency of the fluid can be observed by the nurse and documented.
The laboratory analysis will not change the immediate management of the newborn.
Choice D is wrong because preparing a slide of the fluid for fern testing is not relevant for meconium-stained amniotic fluid.
Fern testing is used to confirm the rupture of membranes by detecting a fern-like pattern of amniotic fluid under a microscope.It is not useful for assessing the presence or severity of meconium-stained amniotic fluid.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Placing warmed tea bags on the nipples is not a recommended method to avoid nipple soreness while breastfeeding.Tea bags can cause dryness and cracking of the nipples, which can increase the risk of infection and pain.
Choice A is wrong because it is better to use both breasts at each feeding and switch the starting breast at each feeding.This helps to ensure adequate milk production and drainage.
Choice B is correct because rubbing breast milk into the nipple can help to moisturize and protect the nipple from infection.Breast milk has antibacterial and healing properties.
Choice C is correct because washing the nipples with water but no soap can help to prevent irritation and dryness of the nipples.
Soap can remove the natural oils that protect the skin.Letting the nipples air dry can also help to prevent fungal growth.
Correct Answer is A
No explanation
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