The practical nurse (PN) is assigned to assist in the care of a laboring client at 42-weeks gestation. While providing perineal care, the PN observes the umbilical cord protruding from the vagina. Which action should the PN take?
Support the client's upper body and knees with pillows.
Encourage the client to push with the next contraction.
Assist the team to prepare for a possible cesarean delivery.
Gently wrap the cord with a dry sterile dressing.
The Correct Answer is C
The umbilical cord prolapse is an emergency situation that requires immediate intervention. The PN should not attempt to push the cord back into the vagina or cover it with a dry sterile dressing. Instead, the PN should notify the healthcare provider and the obstetrical team and assist in preparing for an emergency cesarean delivery.
Option A and B may be appropriate in some situations, but they are not the priority in this scenario.
Therefore, options A, B, and D are not answers because they do not address the immediate emergency of umbilical cord prolapse.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This finding may indicate a potential cardiac issue that needs immediate medical atention. Projectile vomiting and excessive hunger in a young infant may be signs of pyloric stenosis, a condition in which the muscle between the stomach and small intestine thickens, making it difficult for food to pass through.
Hyperactive gastric sounds may be present with vomiting, but it is not an immediate concern.
Crying without tears may be a sign of dehydration, but it is not an immediate concern.
Underweight for age is a concern but it is not a finding that requires immediate intervention.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. If euglycemia, or normal blood glucose levels, is not maintained during pregnancy, the fetus can be at risk for a number of complications. The greatest risk to the fetus in this situation is the development of a macrosomic newborn, or a newborn that is significantly larger than average. This occurs because the excess glucose in the mother's bloodstream is passed on to the fetus, leading to excessive fetal growth.
Macrosomia can lead to complications during delivery, such as shoulder dystocia, and can increase the risk of injury to both the mother and the baby. While low birth weight and preterm birth are also potential complications of GDM, macrosomia is considered the greatest risk to the fetus if euglycemia is not maintained. Cleft palate is not typically associated with GDM.
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