The practical nurse (PN) is assigned to assist in the care of a client at 34-weeks gestation with premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Four hours after admission, the PN recognizes an increasing trend in the maternal heart rate. Which action should the PN take?
Follow contact precautions when providing care.
Insert a urinary catheter to monitor hourly output.
Encourage the client to push with the next contraction.
Initiate oxygen via face mask at 8 to 10 L/min.
The Correct Answer is D
An increasing trend in maternal heart rate is a sign of fetal distress, which can be a serious complication of PROM. One of the primary interventions for fetal distress is to increase oxygen delivery to the fetus. The practical nurse should initiate oxygen via face mask at 8 to 10 L/min to improve fetal oxygenation.
Contact precautions may be necessary for certain conditions, but they are not indicated for an increasing maternal heart rate.
Inserting a urinary catheter may be appropriate for monitoring output, but it is not the first priority in this situation.
Encouraging the client to push is not appropriate because the client is not in active labor and pushing can cause further complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The pattern of bowel movements is the most important information for the practical nurse (PN) to obtain when assisting with the admission of a 12-month-old child with a history of frequent colds and growth failure who is being tested for a possible diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF). CF can cause thick, sticky mucus to build up in the digestive tract, leading to problems with digestion and absorption of nutrients. This can result in bulky, greasy stools and growth failure.
The number of respiratory infections since birth (Option A) and a description of the child's appetite (Option C) are also important pieces of information, but they are not as critical as the pattern of bowel movements. The number of siblings in the family ( Option B) is not directly relevant to the child's medical condition.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
An increasing trend in maternal heart rate is a sign of fetal distress, which can be a serious complication of PROM. One of the primary interventions for fetal distress is to increase oxygen delivery to the fetus. The practical nurse should initiate oxygen via face mask at 8 to 10 L/min to improve fetal oxygenation.
Contact precautions may be necessary for certain conditions, but they are not indicated for an increasing maternal heart rate.
Inserting a urinary catheter may be appropriate for monitoring output, but it is not the first priority in this situation.
Encouraging the client to push is not appropriate because the client is not in active labor and pushing can cause further complications.
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