A nurse is performing a nonstress test on a client who is at 35 weeks of gestation and has diabetes mellitus. The test reveals no accelerations of fetal heart rate for 20 min. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale:
Placing the client in a Trendelenburg position (head down and feet up) is not recommended after a convulsion in a pregnant client. It could potentially compromise blood flow to the brain and fetus. The priority after a convulsion is to ensure the client's airway and oxygenation.

Choice B rationale:
Assisting the client to void might be necessary during the course of care but is not the immediate action needed after a convulsion. The priority is to address airway and oxygenation needs.

Choice C rationale:
Administering oxygen to the client via face mask at 10 L/min is the correct action after the client experiences a convulsion. Eclampsia is a severe complication of preeclampsia, characterized by seizures. Providing oxygen ensures adequate oxygenation to the brain and vital organs during and after the convulsion.

Choice D rationale:
Giving calcium gluconate is not the appropriate action for eclampsia. Calcium gluconate is used to treat hyperkalemia and calcium channel blocker overdose. It does not address the underlying issue of eclampsia or prevent further convulsions. The immediate focus should be on managing the convulsions and ensuring the client's safety and well-being.

The correct answer is choiceA. Continue to monitor the client.

Choice A rationale:

Early decelerations are typically benign and are caused by fetal head compression during contractions.They usually do not require any specific intervention other than continued monitoring to ensure they remain early decelerations and do not progress to more concerning patterns.

Choice B rationale:

Discontinuing oxytocin is not necessary for early decelerations, as they are not indicative of fetal distress.Oxytocin would be discontinued if there were signs of more severe decelerations or other complications.

Choice C rationale:

Assisting the client to lay on her right side is not specifically required for early decelerations.This position change is more commonly used for variable or late decelerations to improve uteroplacental blood flow.

Choice D rationale:

Administering oxygen at 8 L/min per mask is not needed for early decelerations.Oxygen is typically reserved for situations where there is evidence of fetal hypoxia or distress.