A nurse is performing Leopold maneuvers on a client who is in labor and determines the fetus is in an RSA position. Which of the following fetal presentations should the nurse document in the client's medical record?

The correct answer is A. Blood pressure 80/56 mm Hg.

A. A blood pressure of 80/56 mm Hg is the priority finding. Opioid analgesia can cause hypotension, and addressing low blood pressure is crucial to prevent maternal and fetal complications. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider promptly and implement interventions to improve blood pressure.

B. Profuse itching is a common side effect of opioids and is generally not considered a priority unless it becomes severe or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

C. A temperature of 38.2°C (100.8°F) may indicate a fever, but addressing hypotension takes precedence. Elevated temperature can be further assessed but is not the priority in this scenario.

D. The client reporting weakness of the lower extremities is a concerning symptom, but the priority is to address hypotension first, as it could be related to opioid-induced hypotension.

The correct answer is A. Variable decelerations are due to umbilical cord compression.

A. Variable decelerations are often associated with umbilical cord compression. This compression can occur when the umbilical cord is briefly compressed or squeezed, leading to transient decreases in fetal heart rate.

B. Variable decelerations are not typically a result of the administration of IV narcotic analgesics. They are more commonly associated with cord compression or other factors affecting fetal oxygenation.

C. Variable decelerations are not generally caused by uteroplacental insufficiency. Uteroplacental insufficiency is more commonly associated with late decelerations.

D. Variable decelerations are not primarily related to fetal head compression. While head compression can cause certain types of decelerations, variable decelerations are specifically associated with umbilical cord compression.