A charge nurse is teaching a group of staff nurses about fetal monitoring during labor.
Which of the following findings should the charge nurse instruct the staff members to report to the provider?

Choice A rationale

Monitoring uterine contractions is important during labor, but in the context of late pregnancy bleeding, the immediate priority is to assess the well-being of both the mother and the fetus. Contractions may or may not be present at this stage.

Choice B rationale

Placing clean disposable pads is a reasonable action to manage bleeding and assess its characteristics. However, it does not address the immediate need to evaluate the maternal and fetal status, which is critical in a bleeding episode during late pregnancy.

Choice C rationale

Assessing fetal heart rate (FHR) is crucial to determine fetal well-being in the presence of bleeding. Maternal vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiration) are equally important to evaluate the mother's hemodynamic stability. Bleeding in late pregnancy can compromise both maternal and fetal oxygenation and perfusion, making this assessment the highest priority. Normal maternal heart rate is typically 60-100 beats per minute, and normal maternal blood pressure is typically 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg. The normal fetal heart rate range is 110-160 beats per minute.

Choice D rationale

Performing a venipuncture for hemoglobin and hematocrit levels will provide information about the extent of blood loss and the mother's oxygen-carrying capacity. While this is an important assessment, it is not the immediate priority compared to evaluating the fetal heart rate and maternal vital signs, which provide real-time information about their current status. Normal hemoglobin for pregnant women typically ranges from 10.5 to 14 g/dL in the first and third trimesters and slightly lower in the second trimester due to hemodilution. Normal hematocrit for pregnant women typically ranges from 32% to 42%.

Rationales for Each Condition

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

1. Weight loss: Excessive vomiting leads to poor nutritional intake and dehydration, causing unintended weight loss. The normal weight gain expected in the first trimester of pregnancy is around 0.5–2 kg. A weight loss of 0.9 kg in two weeks is concerning.
2. Hypotension: Dehydration due to persistent vomiting causes reduced intravascular volume, leading to low blood pressure. Normal blood pressure ranges from 90/60 mm Hg to 120/80 mm Hg. The client's 96/52 mm Hg value indicates potential volume depletion.
3. Tachycardia: Fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances increase heart rate as a compensatory mechanism to maintain perfusion. The normal heart rate ranges from 60–100 bpm, and the client's 116 bpm suggests dehydration-related tachycardia.

Cystitis

1. Dysuria: Inflammation of the bladder due to infection causes pain or burning during urination, a classic symptom of cystitis. The absence of other urinary symptoms, such as urgency or hematuria, helps differentiate cystitis from other conditions.