A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a 19-year-old patient who is at 18 weeks of gestation.

The patient presents with reports of nausea and vomiting for the past several weeks, which has worsened in severity. The patient states that they have been unable to retain even clear fluids for the past 48 hours.

The patient reports no pain.

The patient reports a history of migraines and asthma.

What condition is the patient most likely experiencing? What are two actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and what are two parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the patient’s progress?

Choice A rationale
Preterm newborns do not have a thick layer of brown fat. Brown fat is a type of fat that generates heat and is typically found in full-term newborns. It helps them maintain their body temperature. Preterm newborns have less brown fat, which makes them more susceptible to hypothermia.
Choice B rationale
Shivering is a mechanism used by the body to generate heat when it’s cold. However, preterm newborns cannot shiver. Their nervous systems are not fully developed, and they lack the muscle coordination necessary to shiver.
Choice C rationale
Sweating is another mechanism the body uses to regulate temperature. When the body is too warm, it produces sweat to cool down. However, preterm newborns do not sweat to cool off when they get too warm. Their sweat glands are not fully developed, and they may not be able to sweat effectively.
Choice D rationale
Preterm newborns have less muscle tone, which exposes more body surfaces to heat loss. Muscle tone provides insulation and generates heat. Because preterm newborns have less muscle mass, they have less insulation and generate less heat, making them more susceptible to hypothermia.

Choice A rationale
Administering oxygen helps improve oxygenation to the fetus and is the priority intervention for late decelerations. Oxytocin is commonly used for induction and augmentation of labor. Its influence is indirect via increased uterine activity, mostly due to increased frequency of contractions or baseline pressure (hypertonus). Increase in duration or amplitude of contractions can also lead to FHR changes. The FHR changes associated with oxytocin infusion may be caused by compression of the cord with contractions or by the reduction in placental perfusion due to increased intrauterine basal pressure and frequent contractions cutting off the blood supply to the placenta. Therefore, administering oxygen can help improve the oxygen supply to the fetus.
Choice B rationale
Instructing the client to bear down and push with contractions is not the appropriate action when the fetus is experiencing persistent late decelerations. This action is more associated with the active phase of labor and not with managing fetal distress.
Choice C rationale
Amnioinfusion is a procedure where a saline solution is instilled into the uterus during labor if there is low amniotic fluid, or thick meconium is present. It is not typically used in response to late decelerations in the FHR.
Choice D rationale
Placing the client in a supine position is not the correct action. The supine position can exacerbate a condition known as supine hypotensive syndrome, where the gravid uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing venous return to the heart and cardiac output. This can potentially worsen fetal distress.