A patient’s labor is induced using an intravenous infusion of 1,000 mL Ringer’s lactate with 10 units of oxytocin.
Two hours later, the nurse notes a pattern of late fetal heart rate decelerations detected on the fetal monitor.Which action is essential for the nurse to take first?

Document the findings.

Pause the oxytocin infusion.

Raise the head of the patient’s bed 30 degrees.

Notify the health care provider.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

This is because late fetal heart rate decelerations are a sign of uteroplacental insufficiency, which means that the placenta is not delivering enough oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Oxytocin can cause uterine tachysystole, which is excessive and frequent contractions that reduce blood flow to the placenta.Therefore, stopping the oxytocin infusion can help improve placental perfusion and fetal oxygenation.

Choice A is wrong because documenting the findings is not a priority action in this situation.

The nurse should first intervene to address the cause of late decelerations and then document the actions and outcomes.

Choice C is wrong because raising the head of the patient’s bed 30 degrees does not directly affect the placental blood flow or fetal oxygenation.

It may help with maternal comfort and breathing, but it is not an essential action for late decelerations.

Choice D is wrong because notifying the health care provider is not the first action to take.The nurse should first attempt to correct the cause of late decelerations by pausing the oxytocin infusion and then notify the health care provider if there is no improvement or if there are other signs of fetal distress.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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.

A. The increase in the level of placental hormones tends to result in chelation of maternal iron. B. Fetal demand for iron is greater than the maternal intake. C. During the latter half of pregnancy, the maternal intestinal absorption of iron is decreased. D. The increase in maternal blood volume is greater than the increase in maternal red blood cells.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The correct answer is choice D. The increase in maternal blood volume is greater than the increase in maternal red blood cells.

This means that the concentration of hemoglobin and hematocrit in the blood is diluted by the extra fluid.

This is a normal physiological adaptation to pregnancy and does not indicate iron deficiency anemia.

Choice A is wrong because placental hormones do not chelate maternal iron.

Chelation is a process of binding metal ions to organic molecules, which is not relevant to this question.

Choice B is wrong because fetal demand for iron is not greater than maternal intake.

The mother can meet the iron needs of the fetus by increasing her dietary intake and taking iron supplements.

Choice C is wrong because maternal intestinal absorption of iron is not decreased during pregnancy.

In fact, it may be increased due to higher levels of estrogen and progesterone.

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A patient’s labor is induced using an intravenous infusion of 1,000 mL Ringer’s lactate with 10 units of oxytocin. Two hours later, the nurse notes a pattern of late fetal heart rate decelerations detected on the fetal monitor.Which action is essential for the nurse to take first?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient’s amniotic fluid is meconium-stained. Which action should the nurse plan to take?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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A patient’s labor is induced using an intravenous infusion of 1,000 mL Ringer’s lactate with 10 units of oxytocin.
Two hours later, the nurse notes a pattern of late fetal heart rate decelerations detected on the fetal monitor.Which action is essential for the nurse to take first?