A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and experienced preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Administer glucocorticoids.
Monitor the client's temperature.
Give calcium gluconate.
Prepare the client for an amniocentesis.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Following the rupture of membranes, delivery is imminent and administration of glucocorticoids may not take effect to benefit the baby.
Choice B reason:
Monitoring the client's temperature (Choice B) is important as the client is at risk of chorioamnionitis which may increase the risk of severe early neonatal sepsis. Changes in temperature as they may warrant anibiotic therapy and immediate delivery.
Choice C reason:
Giving calcium gluconate (Choice C) is not indicated in this situation. Calcium gluconate is typically administered in cases of magnesium sulfate toxicity or to treat hypocalcemia, neither of which is mentioned in the scenario. Therefore, it is not the appropriate action for the nurse to take at this time.
Choice D reason:
Preparing the client for an amniocentesis (Choice D) is not the correct action in this situation. An amniocentesis is a procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is withdrawn for various diagnostic reasons, such as genetic testing or assessing fetal lung maturity. However, in this scenario, the priority is to administer glucocorticoids to promote fetal lung maturity, and an amniocentesis does not address this immediate concern.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a pain rating scale that involves a straight line with one end representing "no pain” and the other end representing "worst pain imaginable.” The individual marks a point on the line to indicate their pain level. This scale may not be suitable for a 3-year-old child as it requires a certain level of cognitive and numerical understanding to make a meaningful assessment, which a young child may not possess.
Choice B reason:
The FACES pain rating scale is a visual tool that uses a series of facial expressions ranging from smiling to crying to help individuals, especially children, express their pain level. A 3-year-old child can easily point to the facial expression that best matches their pain experience, making it a suitable choice for this age group.
Choice C reason:
The Word-Graphic Scale is a pain rating scale that combines verbal descriptors with a visual representation of the pain intensity. It may include words like "no pain,” "mild pain,” "moderate pain,” and "severe pain” along with corresponding symbols. While it can be used with children, a 3-year-old might have difficulty grasping the abstract nature of the scale and correlating words with pain levels.
Choice D reason:
The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) requires the individual to rate their pain level on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being "no pain” and 10 being "worst pain.” Similar to the Visual Analog Scale, this scale might not be suitable for a 3-year-old child who may not fully understand abstract numerical concepts.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Take this medication every day for regular bowel movements. Rationale: This choice is incorrect. Docusate sodium is a stool softener used to prevent constipation, but it should not be taken daily for regular bowel movements. Overuse of stool softeners can lead to dependence and may disrupt the natural bowel function.
Choice B reason:
Take the medication with mineral oil. Rationale: This choice is incorrect. Docusate sodium should not be taken with mineral oil. When taken together, they can form a mixture that is difficult for the body to absorb, leading to potential adverse effects.
Choice C reason:
Decrease dietary fiber intake while taking this medication. Rationale: This choice is incorrect. It is not advisable to decrease dietary fiber intake while taking docusate sodium. Fiber is essential for promoting regular bowel movements and overall gastrointestinal health.
Combining the medication with a high-fiber diet can enhance its effectiveness.
Choice D reason:
Take the medication with a full glass of water. Rationale: This choice is correct. The nurse should instruct the client to take docusate sodium with a full glass of water. The water helps to soften the stool and allows the medication to work effectively in preventing constipation.
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