A nurse in the labor unit is admitting a patient who reports experiencing painful contractions.
The nurse determines that the contractions last 1 minute and occur every 3 minutes.
The nurse records the following vital signs: fetal heart rate of 130/min, maternal heart rate of 128/min, and maternal blood pressure of 92/54 mm Hg. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Have the patient void.
Ask the patient if she needs pain medication.
Turn the patient on her side and recheck the blood pressure.
Notify the healthcare provider of the findings.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Having the patient void is not the immediate priority. While it is important to ensure the bladder is not distended, which could interfere with labor progress, the vital signs suggest a more urgent concern.
Choice B rationale
Asking the patient if she needs pain medication is important for comfort measures during labor, but it is not the immediate priority. The nurse’s first responsibility is to ensure the safety of the mother and baby.
Choice C rationale
Turning the patient on her side and rechecking the blood pressure is the correct action. The maternal blood pressure is low, which could indicate supine hypotensive syndrome. This occurs when the gravid uterus compresses the inferior vena cava when the woman is supine, reducing venous return to the heart. Turning the woman on her side may relieve this pressure and improve blood pressure.
Choice D rationale
Notifying the healthcare provider of the findings is important, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should first address the mother’s hypotension by turning her on her side.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The statement about shock waves refers to a different procedure called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, which is used to break up kidney stones and gallstones. It is not related to an oral cholangiogram.
Choice B rationale
An oral cholangiogram does not involve inserting a camera down the throat. This statement seems to refer to an endoscopic procedure, which is different from an oral cholangiogram.
Choice C rationale
This statement is correct. An oral cholangiogram is an X-ray examination of the gallbladder and bile ducts. The patient takes an oral medication that makes these structures more visible on the X-ray.
Choice D rationale
This statement is incorrect. An oral cholangiogram does not involve putting medication into the gallbladder to dissolve stones. This seems to refer to a different treatment approach.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While respiratory distress can be a serious condition in infants, it is not the leading cause of death among this age group. Other conditions, such as sudden infant death syndrome and complications from premature birth, are more common causes of death in infants.
Choice B rationale
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is indeed a leading cause of death among infants. It is a significant health concern and a major cause of post-neonatal death. SIDS is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old.
Choice C rationale
Congenital anomalies can cause death in infants, but they are not the leading cause. Conditions such as SIDS and complications from premature birth are more common causes of infant death.
Choice D rationale
Low birth weight can contribute to health problems in infants and increase the risk of infant mortality. However, it is not the leading cause of death among infants. Conditions such as SIDS and complications from premature birth are more common causes.
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