During a routine prenatal health assessment for a client in her third trimester, the client reports that she had fluid leakage on her way to the appointment.
Which technique should the nurse implement to evaluate the leakage?

Insert a straight urinary catheter to drain the bladder.

Scan the bladder for urinary retention.

Test the fluid with a nitrazine strip.

Palpate the suprapubic area for fetal head position.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale

Inserting a straight urinary catheter to drain the bladder is not the appropriate technique to evaluate fluid leakage in a pregnant woman. This procedure is invasive and can potentially introduce bacteria into the urinary tract, leading to infection.

Choice B rationale

Scanning the bladder for urinary retention is not the appropriate technique to evaluate fluid leakage in a pregnant woman. While ultrasound can be used to assess the amount of fluid in the bladder, it does not provide information about the nature of the fluid leakage.

Choice C rationale

Testing the fluid with a nitrazine strip is the appropriate technique to evaluate fluid leakage in a pregnant woman. Amniotic fluid has a higher pH than normal vaginal secretions and urine, and will turn a nitrazine strip blue. This test can help determine whether the fluid leakage is amniotic fluid, which could indicate rupture of membranes.

Choice D rationale

Palpating the suprapubic area for fetal head position is not the appropriate technique to evaluate fluid leakage in a pregnant woman. While this can provide information about the position of the fetus, it does not provide information about the nature of the fluid leakage.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While it’s true that AFP results can sometimes be false readings, it’s not the most appropriate advice for the nurse to give in this situation. Simply reassuring the client without suggesting further investigation could potentially overlook a serious condition.

Choice B rationale

Discussing options for intrauterine surgical correction of congenital defects at this stage is premature. The elevated AFP level alone does not confirm the presence of congenital defects, and suggesting surgical intervention may cause unnecessary anxiety.

Choice C rationale

Informing the client that a repeat AFP test should be conducted is a reasonable suggestion. However, it’s not the most appropriate next step in this case. A repeat test would provide more information, but it wouldn’t give definitive results about the cause of the elevated AFP level.

Choice D rationale

Explaining that a sonogram should be scheduled for definitive results is the most appropriate advice. An ultrasound can provide a more detailed view of the fetus and help identify any potential issues that might have led to the elevated AFP level. This would be the most informative next step and would guide further actions based on the findings.

A. Notify the charge nurse about the patient’s condition. B. Discontinue the oxytocin infusion. C. Reduce the rate of the oxytocin infusion. D. Adjust the position of the fetal monitor transducers.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While notifying the charge nurse about the patient’s condition is an important step, it is not the immediate action that should be taken in this situation. The priority is to address the tachysystolic or tetanic contractions and variable fetal heart decelerations, which are signs of potential fetal distress.

Choice B rationale

Discontinuing the oxytocin infusion is the correct action. Oxytocin is a hormone that stimulates uterine contractions during labor. If a patient begins to experience tachysystolic or tetanic contractions, which are excessively frequent or prolonged contractions, it could lead to fetal distress. Discontinuing the oxytocin can help reduce the frequency and intensity of the contractions.

Choice C rationale

Reducing the rate of the oxytocin infusion may not be sufficient in this situation. Tachysystolic or tetanic contractions with variable fetal heart decelerations are serious signs that require immediate action. Simply reducing the rate of the infusion may not alleviate these symptoms quickly enough.

Choice D rationale

Adjusting the position of the fetal monitor transducers would not address the issue of tachysystolic or tetanic contractions. While it is important to ensure accurate monitoring of the fetus, the priority in this situation is to address the potentially harmful contractions.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

During a routine prenatal health assessment for a client in her third trimester, the client reports that she had fluid leakage on her way to the appointment.Which technique should the nurse implement to evaluate the leakage?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

An 18-week pregnant client was informed this morning that she has an elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level. After the healthcare provider leaves the room, the client asks about the next steps.What should the nurse advise?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient in early labor is receiving oxytocin and begins to experience tachysystolic or tetanic contractions with variable fetal heart decelerations.What should the nurse do next?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A new mother, who is breastfeeding her 4-week-old infant and has type I diabetes, reports that her insulin needs have decreased since the birth of her child.What action should the nurse take?

A client at 40-weeks gestation arrives at the obstetrical floor and reports that her amniotic membranes ruptured spontaneously at home.She is in active labor and feels the need to bear down and push. What is the most important information for the nurse to obtain?

What physical assessment data should the nurse consider a normal finding for a primigravida client who is 12 hours postpartum?

An infant, born yesterday and initially weighing 7.5 lbs (3,402 grams), weighs 7 lbs (3,175 grams) today. What action should the nurse take?

A postpartum client who is formula-feeding her new baby inquires about when she should expect her menstruation to resume.What should the nurse inform the client?

During the newborn admission assessment, the nurse palpates the newborn’s scrotum and does not feel the testicles. Which assessment technique should the nurse perform next to verify the absence of testes?

The nurse is about to administer phytonadione to a newborn.Which statement by the parents shows they understand why this medication is being given?

A mother inquires about what to use when changing her newborn’s diaper. What should the nurse recommend to this mother?

During a routine prenatal health assessment for a client in her third trimester, the client reports that she had fluid leakage on her way to the appointment.
Which technique should the nurse implement to evaluate the leakage?