A client at 30 weeks of gestation is experiencing pre-term labor.
Which intervention should the nurse anticipate to suppress uterine contractions?
Administering intravenous fluids
Administering tocolytics
Administering corticosteroids
Administering antibiotics
The Correct Answer is B
Tocolytics are a category of drugs used to delay the labor process. These may be used in situations when a pregnant person begins showing signs of preterm labor —which is any time before 37 weeks of completed pregnancy. Tocolytics may help delay labor by two to seven days.
Some possible explanations for the other choices are:
• Choice A. Administering intravenous fluids.
This is not a correct answer because intravenous fluids are not effective in suppressing uterine contractions. They may be used to correct dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, which can sometimes trigger preterm labor, but they are not a primary intervention for preterm labor.
• Choice C. Administering corticosteroids.
This is not a correct answer because corticosteroids are not tocolytics. They do not stop or slow down uterine contractions, but they help accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and other complications of prematurity.
Corticosteroids are often given along with tocolytics, but they have a different function and mechanism of action.
• Choice D. Administering antibiotics.
This is not a correct answer because antibiotics are not tocolytics. They may be used to treat infections that can cause or complicate preterm labor, such as chorioamnionitis or group B streptococcus, but they do not directly affect uterine contractions.
Antibiotics may be given along with tocolytics, but they have a different function.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This is because assessing fetal heart rate is the most important action to take first when a client has prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) at 34 weeks of gestation and oligohydramnios.Fetal heart rate can indicate fetal well-being, distress, or infection.Oligohydramnios can increase the risk of umbilical cord compression and fetal hypoxia.
Choice A is wrong because administering IV fluids is not the first priority in this situation.IV fluids may be given to prevent dehydration, enhance uterine blood flow, or augment labor, but they are not as urgent as assessing fetal heart rate.
Choice B is wrong because obtaining a urine specimen is not the first priority in this situation.A urine specimen may be obtained to check for infection, proteinuria, or glucose levels, but they are not as urgent as assessing fetal heart rate.
Choice D is wrong because inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is not the first priority in this situation.An indwelling urinary catheter may be inserted to monitor fluid balance, prevent bladder distension, or reduce the risk of infection, but they are not as urgent as assessing fetal heart rate.
Normal ranges for fetal heart rate are 110 to 160 beats per minute.Oligohydramnios is defined as an amniotic fluid index of less than 5 cm.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Referral to community services for support.
A client in preterm labor who is being discharged from the hospital needs to have a discharge plan that includes education, follow-up care, and support services.A referral to community services for support can help the client cope with the stress and anxiety of preterm labor, access resources such as home health care or social workers, and prevent complications or recurrence of preterm labor.
B. Encouragement to smoke in moderation is wrong because smoking is harmful for both the mother and the baby.
Smoking can increase the risk of preterm labor, low birth weight, placental abruption, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).Smoking should be avoided completely during pregnancy and after delivery.
C. Instructions for heavy lifting and strenuous exercise is wrong because these activities can trigger uterine contractions and increase the risk of preterm labor.
A client in preterm labor should rest as much as possible and avoid physical exertion.The client should also avoid sexual intercourse, which can stimulate the cervix and cause bleeding or infection.
D. Recommendation to avoid kangaroo care is wrong because kangaroo care is a method of holding a newborn skin-to-skin with the mother or father.
Kangaroo care can have many benefits for preterm babies, such as improving temperature regulation, breathing, heart rate, feeding, bonding, and growth.Kangaroo care can also reduce stress and pain for both the baby and the parent.
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