A nurse is caring for a client who is pregnant.
The client’s vital signs are as follows: Temperature 37.2°C (98.9°F), Pulse rate 80/min, Respiratory rate 16/min, Blood Pressure 120/69 mm Hg. What should the nurse monitor next?
Fetal heart rate.
Uterine contractions.
Amniotic fluid levels.
Cervical dilation.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Monitoring the fetal heart rate is the next appropriate action. The fetal heart rate provides crucial information about the fetus’s well-being and can help identify any potential issues that may need further intervention.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring uterine contractions is important, but in this scenario, the client’s vital signs are stable, and there is no indication of labor. Therefore, monitoring the fetal heart rate takes precedence.
Choice C rationale
Amniotic fluid levels are important to monitor, but they are typically assessed through ultrasound rather than immediate bedside monitoring. The fetal heart rate provides more immediate information about the fetus’s condition.
Choice D rationale
Cervical dilation is relevant during labor, but there is no indication that the client is in labor based on the provided vital signs. Monitoring the fetal heart rate is more pertinent in this situation.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Monitoring the patient’s vocalizations and facial expressions can provide some information about the intensity of contractions, but it is subjective and not a reliable method for accurately assessing contraction intensity.
Choice B rationale
Palpating the maternal abdomen during a contraction is the best method for determining the intensity of contractions. By feeling the firmness of the uterus, the nurse can assess whether the contractions are mild, moderate, or strong. This method provides a more objective measure of contraction intensity compared to other methods.
Choice C rationale
Timing the amount of time between the ending of one contraction and the beginning of the next provides information about the frequency of contractions, not their intensity. This choice does not address the question of how to determine contraction intensity.
Choice D rationale
Palpating the maternal abdomen right after a contraction does not provide information about the intensity of the contraction that just occurred. The uterus will be relaxed after the contraction, making it difficult to assess the strength of the previous contraction.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Chest physiotherapy can help mobilize secretions, but it primarily aids in clearing secretions rather than directly thinning them. While it may be beneficial as part of a comprehensive approach, it is not the most direct method for thinning secretions.
B. Prelubricating the suction catheter with saline does not effectively thin secretions. In fact, using saline in this way may introduce moisture that could inadvertently lead to complications, such as introducing infection or causing the client to cough.
C. While hyperventilation and providing oxygen are important for maintaining oxygen saturation during suctioning, this method does not help in thinning secretions. It may be used to ensure oxygenation during suctioning but is not effective for secretion management.
D. Providing humidified oxygen is an effective way to thin secretions. Humidity adds moisture to the airways, which can help to keep secretions less viscous and easier to clear. This is a standard practice in managing secretions in clients with tracheostomies.
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