A nurse is collecting data from a newborn immediately after delivery by a client who was at 42 weeks of gestation. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A:

Document fundal height. This is a correct action because the nurse should monitor the involution of the uterus by measuring the fundal height and comparing it to the expected level. The fundus should descend about one fingerbreadth (1 cm) per day after delivery and be at the level of the umbilicus immediately after birth.

Choice B:

Observe the lochia during palpation of the fundus. This is a correct action because the nurse should assess the amount, color, and consistency of the lochia (vaginal discharge) during the fundal massage. The lochia should change from rubra (red) to serosa (pink) to alba (white) over time and not increase in amount or revert to a previous stage.

Choice C:

Massage a firm fundus. This is an incorrect action because a firm fundus indicates adequate uterine contraction and involution. Massaging a firm fundus can cause discomfort and bleeding for the client. The nurse should only massage a boggy (soft) fundus to stimulate contraction and prevent hemorrhage.

Choice D:

Determine whether the fundus is midline. This is a correct action because the nurse should check if the fundus is deviated to either side, which may indicate a full bladder. A full bladder can interfere with uterine contraction and cause bleeding or infection. The nurse should assist the client to void if the fundus is not midline.

Choice E:

Administer terbutaline if the fundus is boggy. This is an incorrect action because terbutaline is a tocolytic drug that relaxes the uterine muscle and inhibits contractions. It is used to stop preterm labor, not to treat postpartum hemorrhage. The nurse should administer oxytocin or other uterotonic drugs if the fundus is boggy and does not respond to massage.

Choice A reason:

Determining maternal well-being is not the purpose of the Bishop's score. The Bishop's score is a pre-labor scoring system to assist in predicting whether induction of labor will be required. It does not measure maternal vital signs, blood tests, or other indicators of maternal well-being.

Choice B reason:

Determining the readiness of the cervix for labor is the purpose of the Bishop's score. The Bishop's score gives points to five measurements of the pelvic examination: dilation, effacement, station, consistency, and position of the cervix. The higher the score, the more favorable or "ripe”. the cervix is for induction of labor.

Choice C reason:

Determining the progress of labor is not the purpose of the Bishop's score. The Bishop's score is used before labor begins to assess the likelihood of a successful induction or a spontaneous preterm delivery. It does not measure contractions, fetal descent, or other indicators of labor progress.

Choice D reason:

Determining the well-being of the fetus is not the purpose of the Bishop's score. The Bishop's score is a cervical assessment tool that does not directly evaluate fetal status. It does not measure fetal heart rate, movement, or biophysical profile.