Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is in active labour. The nurse notes variable decelerations of the FHR. The nurse should identify which of the following is a cause of variable decelerations.
A. Fetal head compression.
Fetal head compression can cause early decelerations in the FHR, not variable decelerations. Early decelerations are often a result of the fetal head being compressed during contractions and are considered benign and expected during labor.
B. Umbilical cord compression.
The correct answer is choice B, which is umbilical cord compression. Variable decelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR) can occur during labor due to various rationales, and umbilical cord compression is one of the common causes. When the umbilical cord gets compressed, it can briefly reduce or restrict the blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus, leading to temporary decelerations in the FHR.
C. Maternal fever.
Maternal fever can be a sign of infection, and it may lead to other fetal heart rate abnormalities, such as tachycardia (an increased heart rate), but it is not specifically associated with variable decelerations.
D. Polyhydramnios.
Polyhydramnios refers to an excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid around the fetus. While it can have implications for pregnancy, it is not directly linked to variable decelerations of the FHR.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI PN Maternity Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Choice A, fetal head compression, is not the correct answer in this case. Fetal head compression can cause early decelerations in the FHR, not variable decelerations. Early decelerations are often a result of the fetal head being compressed during contractions and are considered benign and expected during labor.
Choice B rationale:
The correct answer is choice B, which is umbilical cord compression. Variable decelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR) can occur during labor due to various rationales, and umbilical cord compression is one of the common causes. When the umbilical cord gets compressed, it can briefly reduce or restrict the blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus, leading to temporary decelerations in the FHR.
Choice C rationale:
Choice C, maternal fever, is also not the correct answer for variable decelerations in FHR. Maternal fever can be a sign of infection, and it may lead to other fetal heart rate abnormalities, such as tachycardia (an increased heart rate), but it is not specifically associated with variable decelerations.
Choice D rationale:
Choice D, polyhydramnios, is not the cause of variable decelerations in this scenario. Polyhydramnios refers to an excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid around the fetus. While it can have implications for pregnancy, it is not directly linked to variable decelerations of the FHR.
Similar Questions
A nurse is preparing to administer vitamin K 1 mg IM to a newborn. Available is vitamin K injection 1 mg/0.5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
A. Choice A: 0.25 mL
0.25 mL - The nurse should not administer 0.25 mL because the available concentration of vitamin K injection is 1 mg/0.5 mL. To achieve the prescribed dose of 1 mg, administering only 0.25 mL would be insufficient.
B. Choice B: 0.5 mL
0.5 mL - This is the correct choice. The nurse should administer 0.5 mL of the vitamin K injection to deliver 1 mg of vitamin K, as the concentration of the injection is 1 mg/0.5 mL. By giving the full 0.5 mL, the newborn will receive the appropriate 1 mg dose.
C. Choice C: 0.75 mL
0.75 mL - Administering 0.75 mL would be excessive for the prescribed 1 mg dose of vitamin K. It is unnecessary to give a higher volume than required, as it could lead to potential adverse effects or wastage.
D. Choice D: 1 mL
1 mL - Similarly, administering the entire 1 mL of the vitamin K injection would result in doubling the prescribed dose, leading to potential overdose and adverse reactions. The nurse should avoid administering more than the necessary 0.5 mL.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
0.25 mL - The nurse should not administer 0.25 mL because the available concentration of vitamin K injection is 1 mg/0.5 mL. To achieve the prescribed dose of 1 mg, administering only 0.25 mL would be insufficient.
Choice B rationale:
0.5 mL - This is the correct choice. The nurse should administer 0.5 mL of the vitamin K injection to deliver 1 mg of vitamin K, as the concentration of the injection is 1 mg/0.5 mL. By giving the full 0.5 mL, the newborn will receive the appropriate 1 mg dose.
Choice C rationale:
0.75 mL - Administering 0.75 mL would be excessive for the prescribed 1 mg dose of vitamin K. It is unnecessary to give a higher volume than required, as it could lead to potential adverse effects or wastage.
Choice D rationale:
1 mL - Similarly, administering the entire 1 mL of the vitamin K injection would result in doubling the prescribed dose, leading to potential overdose and adverse reactions. The nurse should avoid administering more than the necessary 0.5 mL.
A nurse is preparing to administer vitamin K IM to a newborn. Into which of the following muscles should the nurse inject the medication?
A. Deltoid.
The deltoid muscle is not typically used for newborn injections because it is too small and underdeveloped, making it an inappropriate site for intramuscular injections in this age group.
B. Dorsogluteal.
The dorsogluteal muscle is also not recommended for newborns due to the risk of injury to the sciatic nerve and the muscle’s underdevelopment.
C. Ventrogluteal.
The ventrogluteal muscle, while a good site for older children and adults, is not commonly used for newborns because it is not as easily accessible and developed as the vastus lateralis.
D. Vastus lateralis.
The vastus lateralis muscle, located on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh, is the preferred site for intramuscular injections in newborns. It is well-developed and provides a large muscle mass, making it the safest and most effective site for administering vitamin K.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice d. Vastus lateralis.
Choice A rationale:
The deltoid muscle is not typically used for newborn injections because it is too small and underdeveloped, making it an inappropriate site for intramuscular injections in this age group.
Choice B rationale:
The dorsogluteal muscle is also not recommended for newborns due to the risk of injury to the sciatic nerve and the muscle’s underdevelopment.
Choice C rationale:
The ventrogluteal muscle, while a good site for older children and adults, is not commonly used for newborns because it is not as easily accessible and developed as the vastus lateralis.
Choice D rationale:
The vastus lateralis muscle, located on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh, is the preferred site for intramuscular injections in newborns. It is well-developed and provides a large muscle mass, making it the safest and most effective site for administering vitamin K.
A nurse is speaking on the phone to a client who is pregnant and taking iron supplements for iron-deficiency anaemia. The client reports that her stools are black but she has no abdominal pain or cramping. Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
A. "Go to the emergency room and your provider will meet you there.".
This response is not appropriate in this situation. The client's report of black stools without abdominal pain or cramping is likely due to the iron supplements and does not warrant a visit to the emergency room. This response may cause unnecessary panic and anxiety for the client.
B. "What else have you been eating?.".
This response is also not the best choice. While it's essential for healthcare providers to gather comprehensive information about a client's diet and lifestyle, in this case, the client's black stools can be directly attributed to the iron supplements. Focusing on other dietary factors might distract from addressing the client's concern about the side effect of iron supplementation.
C. "This is expected because of the way iron is broken down during digestion.".
This response is correct because black stools are a common side effect of taking iron supplements. Iron can cause the stool to appear black or tarry due to the way it is broken down during digestion. It does not necessarily indicate a serious issue, especially if the client is not experiencing any abdominal pain or cramping. Educating the client about this expected side effect helps alleviate any concerns they might have about the change in stool color.
D. "Come to the office, and we will check things out.".
This response is not the most appropriate one either. A visit to the office might not be necessary solely based on the client's report of black stools without accompanying pain or cramping. This situation can be managed through education, and the client can be reassured that it is a typical side effect of iron supplements. An unnecessary visit to the office could inconvenience the client and waste both their time and the healthcare provider's time.
Full Explanation
Choice C rationale:
This response is correct because black stools are a common side effect of taking iron supplements. Iron can cause the stool to appear black or
tarry due to the way it is broken down during digestion. It does not necessarily indicate a serious issue, especially if the client is not experiencing any abdominal pain or cramping. Educating the client about this expected side effect helps alleviate any concerns they might have about the change in stool colour.
Choice A rationale:
"Go to the emergency room and your provider will meet you there.”. This response is not appropriate in this situation. The client's report of black stools without abdominal pain or cramping is likely due to the iron supplements and does not warrant a visit to the emergency room. This response may cause unnecessary panic and anxiety for the client.
Choice B rationale:
"What else have you been eating?.”. This response is also not the best choice. While it's essential for healthcare providers to gather comprehensive information about a client's diet and lifestyle, in this case, the client's black stools can be directly attributed to the iron supplements. Focusing on other dietary factors might distract from addressing the client's concern about the side effect of iron supplementation.
Choice D rationale:
"Come to the office, and we will check things out.”. This response is not the most appropriate one either. A visit to the office might not be necessary solely based on the client's report of black stools without accompanying pain or cramping. This situation can be managed through education, and the client can be reassured that it is a typical side effect of iron supplements. An unnecessary visit to the office could inconvenience the client and waste both their time and the healthcare provider's time.