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NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse in the labor and delivery unit is caring for a client who is undergoing external fetal monitoring. The nurse observes that the fetal heart rate begins to slow after the start of a contraction and the lowest rate occurs after the peak of the contraction. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxygen using a nonrebreather mask.
Administer oxygen using a nonrebreather mask: While oxygen may be necessary if there are signs of fetal distress, the priority action in this situation is to reposition the client and relieve potential cord compression.
B. Elevate the client's legs.
Elevate the client's legs: Elevating the client's legs is not the most appropriate action in this situation and may not address the cause of the decelerations.
C. Place the client in the lateral position.
Place the client in the lateral position: This is the correct answer. The described pattern of the fetal heart rate (slowdown after the start of a contraction with the lowest rate occurring after the peak of the contraction) suggests late decelerations, which are often caused by uteroplacentalinsufficiency or cord compression. Placing the client in the lateral position can help alleviate potential compression of the umbilical cord and improve fetal oxygenation.
D. Increase the rate of maintenance IV infusion.
Increase the rate of maintenance IV infusion: Increasing the IV infusion rate may not be the most appropriate action for late decelerations. Repositioning the client is the priority in this situation.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Maternity Exam - Proctored Exam 2. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A) Administer oxygen using a nonrebreather mask: While oxygen may be necessary if there are signs of fetal distress, the priority action in this situation is to reposition the client and relieve potential cord compression.
B) Elevate the client's legs: Elevating the client's legs is not the most appropriate action in this situation and may not address the cause of the decelerations.
C) Place the client in the lateral position: This is the correct answer. The described pattern of the fetal heart rate (slowdown after the start of a contraction with the lowest rate occurring after the peak of the contraction) suggests late decelerations, which are often caused by uteroplacental
insufficiency or cord compression. Placing the client in the lateral position can help alleviate potential compression of the umbilical cord and improve fetal oxygenation.
D) Increase the rate of maintenance IV infusion: Increasing the IV infusion rate may not be the most appropriate action for late decelerations. Repositioning the client is the priority in this situation.
Similar Questions
A nurse in a clinic is reviewing the medical records of a group of clients who are pregnant.
The nurse should anticipate the provider will order a maternal serum alphafetoprotein (MSAFP) screening for which of the following clients?
A. All of the clients
All of the clients: Maternal serum alphafetoprotein (MSAFP) screening is a routine prenatal test offered to all pregnant women, usually between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation. It is used to screen for certain fetal anomalies, including neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Regardless of a client's medical history or risk factors, the MSAFP screening is typically recommended for all pregnant individuals as part of routine prenatal care.
B. A client who has a history of preterm labor
A client who has a history of preterm labor: Preterm labor history is not a specific indication for MSAFP screening. This test is primarily used to screen for fetal anomalies, not preterm labor risk assessment.
C. A client who has mitral valve prolapse
A client who has mitral valve prolapse: Mitral valve prolapse is also not an indication for MSAFP screening. The test is focused on assessing fetal health and not maternal heart conditions.
D. A client who has been exposed to AIDS
A client who has been exposed to AIDS: MSAFP screening is not related to maternal exposure to AIDS. It is a test focused on assessing the fetus's risk of certain congenital abnormalities.
Full Explanation
A) All of the clients: Maternal serum alphafetoprotein (MSAFP) screening is a routine prenatal test offered to all pregnant women, usually between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation. It is used to screen for certain fetal anomalies, including neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Regardless of a client's medical history or risk factors, the MSAFP screening is typically recommended for all pregnant individuals as part of routine prenatal care.
B) A client who has a history of preterm labor: Preterm labor history is not a specific indication for MSAFP screening. This test is primarily used to screen for fetal anomalies, not preterm labor risk assessment.
C) A client who has mitral valve prolapse: Mitral valve prolapse is also not an indication for MSAFP screening. The test is focused on assessing fetal health and not maternal heart conditions.
D) A client who has been exposed to AIDS: MSAFP screening is not related to maternal exposure to AIDS. It is a test focused on assessing the fetus's risk of certain congenital abnormalities.
A nurse is caring for a client during a nonstress test (NST). At the end of a 30min period of observation, the nurse notes the following findings: The fetal heart rate baseline is 120/min with minimal variability and no accelerations. There are two decelerations of 15 /min in the fetal heart rate during a period of fetal movement, each lasting 20 seconds. Which of the following
interpretations of these findings should the nurse make?
A. A reactive test
A reactive test: A reactive NST requires the presence of specific criteria, including at least two fetal heart rate accelerations of at least 15 beats per minute (bpm) lasting for at least 15seconds in a 20minute period, along with a baseline heart rate within the normal range (110160 bpm) and moderate variability.
B. A negative test
A negative test: "Negative" is not a term used to describe NST results.
C. A positive test
A positive test: "Positive" is not a term used to describe NST results.
D. A nonreactive test
A nonreactive test: This is the correct interpretation. In a nonreactive NST, the fetal heart rate did not demonstrate the required accelerations within the 30minute observation period. The absence of accelerations can indicate potential fetal compromise, and further evaluation, such as a contraction stress test or biophysical profile, may be necessary to assess the fetus's wellbeing.
Full Explanation
A) A reactive test: A reactive NST requires the presence of specific criteria, including at least two fetal heart rate accelerations of at least 15 beats per minute (bpm) lasting for at least 15
seconds in a 20minute period, along with a baseline heart rate within the normal range (110160 bpm) and moderate variability.
B) A negative test: "Negative" is not a term used to describe NST results.
C) A positive test: "Positive" is not a term used to describe NST results.
D) A nonreactive test: This is the correct interpretation. In a nonreactive NST, the fetal heart rate did not demonstrate the required accelerations within the 30minute observation period. The absence of accelerations can indicate potential fetal compromise, and further evaluation, such as a contraction stress test or biophysical profile, may be necessary to assess the fetus's wellbeing.
A nurse on a labor unit is admitting a client who is lying supine in her bed and reports painful contractions. The nurse determines that the contractions have a duration of 1 min and a frequency of 3 min. The nurse obtains the following vital signs: fetal heart rate 130/min,
maternal heart rate 128/min, and maternal blood pressure 82/54 mm Hg. Which of the following is the first priority action for the nurse to take?
A. Reposition the client with one hip elevated or on her left side.
Reposition the client with one hip elevated or on her left side: This is the correct first priority action. The client's vital signs indicate hypotension (low blood pressure), which may be caused by supine hypotensive syndrome. This condition occurs when the pregnant uterus compresses the vena cava, reducing blood return to the heart and causing a drop in blood pressure. Repositioning the client on her left side or elevating one hip can relieve the pressure on the vena cava andimprove blood flow to both the mother and the baby.
B. Notify the provider of the findings.
Notify the provider of the findings: While it is essential to inform the provider about the client's status, the first priority is to address the potential cause of hypotension and maternal discomfort.
C. Ask the client if she needs pain medication.
Ask the client if she needs pain medication: Pain management is essential, but the client's vital signs and potential hypotensive condition take precedence as the first priority.
D. Have the client empty her bladder.
Have the client empty her bladder: Emptying the bladder can help reduce pressure on the vena cava and may improve blood flow, but it is not the first priority action in this situation. Repositioning the client is the initial priority to relieve supine hypotensive syndrome.
Full Explanation
A) Reposition the client with one hip elevated or on her left side: This is the correct first priority action. The client's vital signs indicate hypotension (low blood pressure), which may be caused by supine hypotensive syndrome. This condition occurs when the pregnant uterus compresses the vena cava, reducing blood return to the heart and causing a drop in blood pressure. Repositioning the client on her left side or elevating one hip can relieve the pressure on the vena cava and
improve blood flow to both the mother and the baby.
B) Notify the provider of the findings: While it is essential to inform the provider about the client's status, the first priority is to address the potential cause of hypotension and maternal discomfort.
C) Ask the client if she needs pain medication: Pain management is essential, but the client's vital signs and potential hypotensive condition take precedence as the first priority.
D) Have the client empty her bladder: Emptying the bladder can help reduce pressure on the vena cava and may improve blood flow, but it is not the first priority action in this situation. Repositioning the client is the initial priority to relieve supine hypotensive syndrome.