Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports to the charge nurse that a client who delivered a 7-pound (3,175 gram) infant 12 hours ago is reporting a severe headache. The client's blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, respiratory rate is 18 breaths/minute, heart rate is 74 beats/minute, and temperature is 98.6° F (37° C). The client's fundus is firm and one fingerbreadth above the umbilicus. Which action should the charge nurse implement first?
A. Assign a practical nurse (PN) to reassess the client's vital signs.
Assign a practical nurse (PN) to reassess the client's vital signs:While reassessing vital signs is important, the reported severe headache after delivery is a symptom that requires immediate attention. It's more appropriate for a licensed professional, such as the nurse or healthcare provider, to assess and decide the course of action.
B. Obtain a STAT hemoglobin and hematocrit
Obtain a STAT hemoglobin and hematocrit:While assessing hemoglobin and hematocrit can provide information about potential postpartum hemorrhage, it may not be the first action needed in this context. The severe headache suggests a possible neurological concern that should be addressed promptly.
C. Notify the healthcare provider of the assessment findings
Notify the healthcare provider of the assessment findings: This is the most appropriate initial action. Severe headache after delivery, especially if the client had received anesthesia, could be indicative of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH). Prompt notification allows the healthcare provider to assess and decide on the necessary interventions.
D. Determine if the client received anesthesia during delivery
Determine if the client received anesthesia during delivery:Knowing the type of anesthesia is important for understanding potential complications. However, this information alone might not guide immediate actions. The focus should be on addressing the reported severe headache promptly.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Samuel Merrit University Oaklands Hesi Maternity (Labor and Delivery) Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. Assign a practical nurse (PN) to reassess the client's vital signs:
While reassessing vital signs is important, the reported severe headache after delivery is a symptom that requires immediate attention. It's more appropriate for a licensed professional, such as the nurse or healthcare provider, to assess and decide the course of action.
B. Obtain a STAT hemoglobin and hematocrit:
While assessing hemoglobin and hematocrit can provide information about potential postpartum hemorrhage, it may not be the first action needed in this context. The severe headache suggests a possible neurological concern that should be addressed promptly.
C. Notify the healthcare provider of the assessment findings:
This is the most appropriate initial action. Severe headache after delivery, especially if the client had received anesthesia, could be indicative of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH). Prompt notification allows the healthcare provider to assess and decide on the necessary interventions.
D. Determine if the client received anesthesia during delivery:
Knowing the type of anesthesia is important for understanding potential complications. However, this information alone might not guide immediate actions. The focus should be on addressing the reported severe headache promptly.
Similar Questions
A client is admitted to the postpartum unit and tells the nurse she had rheumatic fever as a child, which resulted in some "heart damage." The nurse knows that this client is at particular risk for developing heart failure during the immediate postpartum period. Based on this client's history, which nursing problem has the highest priority?
A. Sleep deprivation.
Sleep deprivation:While sleep is important for overall well-being, it may not be the top priority in this case. Fluid volume excess, given the client's cardiac history, poses a more immediate threat to health.
B. Fluid volume excess
Fluid volume excess:Clients with heart damage are prone to heart failure, and managing fluid balance is crucial. Excess fluid can worsen cardiac function, making this the priority concern.
C. Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting: While nausea and vomiting are significant concerns, they might not be as directly related to the client's cardiac history as fluid volume excess. However, if severe, it could contribute to fluid imbalance.
D. Risk for infection.
Risk for infection:Infection is a concern for postpartum clients, but in this case, the client's history of rheumatic fever and heart damage takes precedence. The priority is to prevent complications related to heart failure.
Full Explanation
A. Sleep deprivation:
While sleep is important for overall well-being, it may not be the top priority in this case. Fluid volume excess, given the client's cardiac history, poses a more immediate threat to health.
B. Fluid volume excess:
Clients with heart damage are prone to heart failure, and managing fluid balance is crucial. Excess fluid can worsen cardiac function, making this the priority concern.
C. Nausea and vomiting:
While nausea and vomiting are significant concerns, they might not be as directly related to the client's cardiac history as fluid volume excess. However, if severe, it could contribute to fluid imbalance.
D. Risk for infection:
Infection is a concern for postpartum clients, but in this case, the client's history of rheumatic fever and heart damage takes precedence. The priority is to prevent complications related to heart failure.
A primipara at 20-weeks gestation is scheduled for an ultrasound. In preparing the client for the procedure, the nurse should explain that the primary reason for conducting this diagnostic study is to obtain which information?
A. Chromosomal abnormalities
Chromosomal abnormalities:While an ultrasound can sometimes identify structural abnormalities, it's not the primary tool for detecting chromosomal abnormalities. Genetic testing or procedures like amniocentesis are more specific for this purpose.
B. Sex and size of the infant
Sex and size of the infant:An ultrasound is indeed used to determine the sex of the baby and assess its size and growth.
C. Lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio
Lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio: The lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio is typically assessed in tests related to fetal lung maturity, which is not the primary purpose of a routine ultrasound.
D. Fetal growth and gestational age.
Fetal growth and gestational age:This is one of the primary purposes of a routine ultrasound during pregnancy. It helps evaluate the baby's growth and ensures it aligns with the expected gestational age.
Full Explanation
A. Chromosomal abnormalities:
While an ultrasound can sometimes identify structural abnormalities, it's not the primary tool for detecting chromosomal abnormalities. Genetic testing or procedures like amniocentesis are more specific for this purpose.
B. Sex and size of the infant:
An ultrasound is indeed used to determine the sex of the baby and assess its size and growth.
C. Lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio:
The lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio is typically assessed in tests related to fetal lung maturity, which is not the primary purpose of a routine ultrasound.
D. Fetal growth and gestational age:
This is one of the primary purposes of a routine ultrasound during pregnancy. It helps evaluate the baby's growth and ensures it aligns with the expected gestational age.
The healthcare provider prescribes magnesium sulfate 6 grams intravenously (IV) to be infused over 20 minutes for client with preterm labor. The IV bag contains magnesium sulfate 20 grams in dextrose 5% in water 500 mL. How many mL/hour should the nurse set the infusion pump?
(Enter numerical value only.)
Full Explanation
- To calculate the infusion rate, use the formula:
(mL of solution / grams of drug) x (grams ordered / minutes to infuse) x 60
- In this case, the formula becomes: (500 mL / 20 g) x (6 g / 20 min) x 60
- Simplify and solve: (25 mL / g) x (0.3 g / min) x 60
- The answer is 450 mL/hour
- The nurse should set the infusion pump at 450 mL/hour