A nurse is performing a nonstress test for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation. The fetal monitor tracing reveals a series of late decelerations.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?
Place the client in a lateral position.
Administer lactated Ringer's via IV bolus.
Prepare the client for a cesarean birth.
Elevate the client's legs.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, meaning reduced blood flow and oxygen to the fetus. Placing the client in a lateral position (left or right side) can alleviate pressure on the vena cava, improving venous return to the heart, thus increasing cardiac output and uteroplacental perfusion. This is the least invasive initial intervention.
Choice B rationale
While intravenous fluid administration may be indicated in some cases to improve maternal hydration and placental perfusion, repositioning the client is a more immediate and less invasive intervention to address uteroplacental insufficiency by optimizing maternal circulation and oxygen delivery to the fetus.
Choice C rationale
Preparing for a cesarean birth is a significant intervention reserved for persistent or severe fetal distress that does not respond to less invasive measures. Although late decelerations are concerning, immediate surgical intervention is not the first step without attempting to optimize fetal well-being through maternal repositioning.
Choice D rationale
Elevating the client's legs might slightly increase venous return, but it is not the primary intervention for late decelerations. The lateral position is more effective in relieving aortocaval compression, directly addressing the underlying issue of reduced placental blood flow, and is the established first-line intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Administering a rubella immunization during pregnancy is contraindicated because the rubella vaccine is a live attenuated virus vaccine. There is a theoretical risk of viral transmission to the fetus, which could lead to congenital rubella syndrome. Vaccination should occur postpartum to protect future pregnancies.
Choice B rationale
Breastfeeding is not contraindicated after receiving the rubella vaccine. Although rubella vaccine virus can be excreted in breast milk, it generally does not cause clinical illness in the infant and passive transfer of antibodies may provide some protection to the infant.
Choice C rationale
A rubella titer of 1: indicates a low level of rubella antibodies, meaning the client is susceptible to rubella infection. A titer of less than 1: or 1: is generally considered non-immune, requiring vaccination to prevent congenital rubella syndrome in future pregnancies.
Choice D rationale
Repeating a rubella titer in the third trimester is not a standard practice for assessing susceptibility. Once susceptibility is determined, the primary intervention is postpartum vaccination. The initial titer result accurately reflects immune status and further testing during pregnancy is unnecessary.
Correct Answer is A,B,C,D
Explanation
Observe the newborn's respirations. Auscultate the newborn's heart rate. Auscultate newborn's abdomen. Test the newborn's reflexes.
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