A nurse is assisting in the care of a client.

Exhibits

Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to implement? Select all that apply.

A. Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale. The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is a validated tool specifically designed to assess and identify tardive dyskinesia in clients taking antipsychotic medications. The AIMS evaluates the presence, frequency, and severity of involuntary movements, providing a structured approach for monitoring and documenting these symptoms over time.
B. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is utilized to assess a range of psychiatric symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis. However, it does not specifically address the assessment of abnormal involuntary movements associated with tardive dyskinesia. Therefore, while it is useful for general psychiatric evaluation, it is not appropriate for identifying tardive dyskinesia.
C. Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used screening tool for assessing the severity of depression. It focuses on mood-related symptoms and does not evaluate movement disorders or side effects of antipsychotic medications. As such, it is not relevant for identifying tardive dyskinesia.
D. Mental Status Examination. The Mental Status Examination (MSE) provides a comprehensive assessment of a client’s cognitive and emotional state, covering areas such as appearance, behavior, thought processes, and mood. While the MSE is valuable for overall psychiatric evaluation, it does not specifically assess for tardive dyskinesia or abnormal involuntary movements, making it unsuitable for this purpose.

Rationale for Correct Options:

• Urge to defecate occurs as the fetal head descends further into the birth canal, putting pressure on the rectum and perineum. This is a common sign of the second stage of labor, indicating that the client is nearing delivery.
• Increased bloody show results from cervical dilation and effacement as the capillaries in the cervix rupture. A greater amount of blood-tinged mucus is expected as labor progresses, particularly in the transition phase and early second stage.
• Cervix 10 cm dilated confirms that the client has reached full cervical dilation, which is required for the second stage of labor to begin. Complete dilation allows for the passage of the fetus through the birth canal.
• Contractions strong on palpation indicate effective uterine activity, which is necessary for fetal descent and expulsion. Strong contractions help in moving the baby downward and increasing pressure on the cervix.

Rationale for Incorrect Options:

• A heart rate of 110/min is elevated compared to the client’s earlier readings (90/min at 0830, 110/min at 0845) and may indicate maternal stress or exertion from labor pain. While mild increases in maternal heart rate are expected during labor, tachycardia above 110/min warrants further evaluation, particularly in the presence of fever.
• Temperature of 39.1°C (102.4°F). This temperature is abnormally high and suggests infection, such as chorioamnionitis, especially considering the prolonged rupture of membranes since 1900 the previous night. Normal maternal temperature may rise slightly during labor due to exertion, but fever above 38°C (100.4°F) is concerning and requires medical attention.