A nurse is preparing a client who has a prolapsed umbilical cord for an emergency cesarean delivery.

Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering to the client?

The correct answer is choice C. FHR of 80/min with severe variable decelerations.This indicates that the umbilical cord is prolapsed and compressed by the baby’s body, causing a decrease in blood and oxygen supply to the baby.A normal fetal heart rate is between 120 and 160 beats per minute.Severe variable decelerations are abrupt drops in the fetal heart rate that do not correspond to contractions.

Choice A is wrong because FHR of 160/min with accelerations is a normal finding that indicates a healthy baby.Accelerations are temporary increases in the fetal heart rate that usually occur with fetal movement or contractions.

Choice B is wrong because FHR of 120/min with early decelerations is also a normal finding that indicates a well-oxygenated baby.Early decelerations are gradual decreases in the fetal heart rate that mirror contractions and are caused by head compression.

Choice D is wrong because FHR of 140/min with late decelerations is an abnormal finding that indicates uteroplacental insufficiency, not cord prolapse.Late decelerations are gradual decreases in the fetal heart rate that occur after contractions and are caused by reduced blood flow to the placenta.

Terbutaline is a medication that can relax the uterine muscles and reduce contractions.This can help relieve pressure on the prolapsed umbilical cord and restore blood flow to the baby while preparing for an emergency cesarean delivery.

Choice A is wrong because magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures in women with preeclampsia or eclampsia, not to treat umbilical cord prolapse.

Choice C is wrong because oxytocin is used to induce or augment labor, not to stop it.Oxytocin can increase contractions and worsen cord compression.

Choice D is wrong because methylergonovine is used to prevent or treat postpartum hemorrhage, not to treat umbilical cord prolapse.Methylergonovine can also increase contractions and worsen cord compression.