A nurse is caring for a client who is a primigravida, at term, and having contractions but is stating that she is "not really sure if she is in labor or not.”. Which of the following should the nurse recognize as a sign of true labor?

The diagram should be completed as follows:

Condition Most Likely Experiencing: B. Respiratory distress syndrome. Action to Take 1: C. Administer Surfactant as prescribed. Action to Take 2: Provide oxygen therapy as needed. Parameter to Monitor 1: B. Arterial blood gases. Parameter to Monitor 2: D. Oxygen saturation.

Conditions Explained

Choice A reason:
Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood glucose level is too low. It can cause symptoms
such as jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding, and seizures. However, hypoglycemia does not
explain the respiratory signs that the newborn is experiencing, such as tachypnea, grunting,
nasal flaring, and retractions. Acrocyanosis is also not a sign of hypoglycemia. Therefore,
choice A is incorrect.
Choice B reason:
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a condition where the lungs are not fully developed
and lack enough surfactant, a substance that helps the alveoli stay open and exchange
oxygen and carbon dioxide. It can cause symptoms such as tachypnea, grunting, nasal flaring,
retractions, and cyanosis. RDS is more common in premature infants, especially those born
before 37 weeks of gestation. Acrocyanosis can be a normal finding in the first 24 hours of
life, but it can also indicate poor perfusion due to respiratory compromise. Therefore, choice
B is the most likely condition that the newborn is experiencing.
Choice C reason:
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a condition where the newborn withdraws from

drugs that were exposed in utero. It can cause symptoms such as irritability, tremors, high-
pitched crying, poor feeding, vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating. However, NAS does not

explain the respiratory signs that the newborn is experiencing, such as tachypnea, grunting,
nasal flaring, and retractions. Acrocyanosis is also not a sign of NAS. Therefore, choice C is
incorrect.
Choice D reason:
Jaundice is a condition where the skin and sclerae turn yellow due to excess bilirubin in the
blood. It can be caused by various factors such as blood group incompatibility, hemolysis,
infection, or liver dysfunction. However, jaundice does not explain the respiratory signs that
the newborn is experiencing, such as tachypnea, grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions.
Acrocyanosis is also not a sign of jaundice.

A. Nalbuphine (Nubain):Nalbuphine is an opioid agonist-antagonist, which can be used to treat moderate to severe pain. However, it is not specifically used to reverse the effects of fentanyl. Administering Nalbuphine could potentially complicate the situation by introducing another opioid into the system.

B. Naloxone (Narcan):Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses the effects of opioids like fentanyl. It is the standard treatment for opioid overdose and can quickly restore normal respiration in a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to opioid use. This makes it the most appropriate drug to have readily available in this scenario.

C. Butorphanol (Stadol):Butorphanol is another opioid agonist-antagonist used for pain relief. Similar to Nalbuphine, it is not used to reverse opioid effects and could complicate the patient's condition by adding another opioid to the system.

D. Promethazine (Phenergan):Promethazine is an antihistamine used to treat nausea, vomiting, and allergies. It does not have any properties that would counteract the effects of fentanyl. Therefore, it would not be useful in reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression.