A nurse is caring for a client who presents to a labor and delivery unit experiencing rapidly progressing labor. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?
Apply perineal pressure to the emerging fetal head
Cut the umbilical cord
Prevent the perineum from tearing
Promote delivery of the placenta
The Correct Answer is A
A. Correct. In rapidly progressing labor, applying gentle perineal pressure helps control the speed of delivery and can prevent or minimize perineal tearing or lacerations. It also helps to manage the delivery of the fetal head, especially in cases where the labor is very rapid which can cause neurologic damage (increased intracranial pressure and dural/subdural tearing).
B. Cutting the umbilical cord is not the priority in this situation. The focus should be on the immediate management of the delivery process and preventing complications related to perineal tearing.
C. Preventing the perineum from tearing: While preventing the perineum from tearing is important, it is not the immediate priority in the context of rapidly progressing labor. The primary focus should be on safely delivering the baby, which involves controlling the delivery of the fetal head to prevent complications.
D. Promoting the delivery of the placenta is a consideration for the third stage of labor, which follows the delivery of the baby. It is not the priority during the active phase of delivery.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Hemoglobin (Hgb) of 20 g/dL is elevated, but this can be a normal finding in a newborn and does not necessarily require immediate intervention.
Choice B Reason:
Total bilirubin of 5 mg/dL is within the normal range for a 24-hour-old newborn.
Choice C Reason:
Blood glucose 30 mg/dL. A blood glucose level of 30 mg/dL is significantly lower than the normal range for a newborn. Hypoglycemia in a newborn can lead to neurologic complications, so it is important to report this result promptly for further evaluation and intervention.
Choice D Reason:
White blood cell (WBC) count of 20,000/mm³ is within the expected range for a newborn and is not a cause for immediate concern. Newborns often have higher WBC counts shortly after birth.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is C. Continuous contraction lasting 2 min.
A. Pressure on the perineum causing the client to bear down is a common sign in the later stages of labor when the cervix is fully dilated. It is not typically a cause for immediate concern during the admission phase.
B. Expulsion of clear fluid from the vagina may be amniotic fluid, which can indicate rupture of membranes. While important to note, it is not as urgent as a prolonged contraction.
C. Continuous contraction lasting 2 min is a concerning finding and should be reported first.
A contraction lasting 2 minutes is excessively long and may lead to decreased uterine blood flow, affecting fetal oxygenation. It requires prompt attention from the healthcare provider.
D. Expulsion of a blood-tinged mucous plug, also known as the "bloody show," is a common occurrence in early labor and is not as urgent as the prolonged contraction.
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