A nurse is caring for a client who is in the first stage of labor. The nurse observes the umbilical cord protruding from the vagina. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?
Cover the cord with a sterile, moist saline dressing
Place the client in knee-chest position
Insert a gloved hand into the vagina to relieve pressure on the cord
Prepare the client for an immediate birth
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is C. Insert a gloved hand into the vagina to relieve pressure on the cord.
A. Covering the cord with a sterile, moist saline dressing is a potential action, but relieving pressure on the cord takes precedence. This can be done by manually elevating the presenting part of the fetus off the cord.
B. Placing the client in a knee-chest position may be recommended after taking the immediate action of relieving pressure on the cord. Elevating the hips may help reduce cord compression.
C. Inserting a gloved hand into the vagina to relieve pressure on the cord is the priority action.
By manually lifting the presenting part off the cord, the nurse can help restore blood flow to the fetus and prevent umbilical cord compression.
D. Preparing the client for an immediate birth may be necessary, but the immediate action to relieve pressure on the cord should be performed first. The healthcare provider will determine the need for urgent delivery based on the clinical situation.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The pattern of contractions is important in assessing labor, but the presence of regular contractions alone does not confirm true labor. It is the changes in the cervix that indicate progress in labor.
B. The station of the presenting part (the level at which the baby's head has descended into the pelvis) is also a factor in labor, but it is not the primary indicator of true labor. Changes in the cervix are more indicative.
C. Changes in the cervix are a key sign of true labor.
True labor involves cervical effacement (thinning) and dilation (opening). These changes in the cervix signify progress in the labor process.
D. Rupture of the membranes (water breaking) can be a sign of labor, but it doesn't confirm true labor on its own. It might occur before, during, or after labor has begun.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is B. Just above the symphysis pubis.
A. Just above the umbilicus: At the end of the first trimester, the uterus is still within the pelvic cavity, and fetal heart tones are typically not detectable above the umbilicus at this stage.
B. Just above the symphysis pubis: This is the correct placement for assessing fetal heart tones during the first trimester. The fetal heart is usually located low in the pelvis during early pregnancy, making it most easily heard just above the pubic bone.
C. The right lower quadrant: Fetal heart tones are typically assessed in the midline of the abdomen, and focusing on the lower quadrants may not be the optimal location, especially in the first trimester.
D. The left lower quadrant: Similar to the right lower quadrant, focusing on the lower quadrants may not be the most appropriate location for assessing fetal heart tones during the first trimester.
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