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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Fetal heart rate (FHR) is one of the essential indicators of fetal well-being during labor. A fall in FHR following each contraction is known as recurrent deceleration and can be an indication of fetal distress. In this case, the PN should first reposition the client laterally, as this may help to alleviate compression of the umbilical cord and improve fetal oxygenation.
A. Administering oxygen at 10 L/face mask may be necessary, but it is not the first intervention to be implemented in this scenario.
B. Discontinuing oxytocin infusion may be necessary, but it is not the first intervention to be implemented in this scenario.
C. Observing perineum for cord prolapse is not necessary in this scenario.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
In this situation, the practical nurse (PN) should coach the client to take slow, deep breaths during each contraction. The client has already been medicated with butorphanol and promethazine for pain relief and it may not be appropriate to administer another dose at this time. Instead, the PN can provide non- pharmacological pain relief measures such as coaching the client to use breathing techniques to help manage the pain during contractions. The other actions listed may also be appropriate in some situations, but coaching the client to use breathing techniques is the most appropriate action in this situation.
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