A nurse is receiving report about assigned clients at the start of his shift.
Which of the following clients should the nurse plan to attend to first?

Choice A rationale:

To prevent thrombophlebitis in a postpartum client following a cesarean birth, it is important to promote good circulation and prevent stasis of blood in the lower extremities. Placing pillows under the client's knees while she is resting in bed helps elevate the legs slightly and promotes better venous return, reducing the risk of thrombophlebitis. This position facilitates improved circulation and is a recommended practice.

Choice B rationale:

Applying hot moist soaks to the client's lower legs is not a recommended intervention to prevent thrombophlebitis. In fact, heat can increase inflammation and may worsen the condition. This option would not contribute to the client's plan of care for thrombophlebitis prevention.

Choice C rationale:

Assisting the client to ambulate in the hallway is a good practice to prevent thrombophlebitis, but it may not be suitable for a client who is only 1 day postpartum following a cesarean birth. Early ambulation is encouraged but should be done gradually and at the client's own pace to avoid undue stress on the incision site. Placing pillows under the knees while resting in bed is a more appropriate initial intervention.

Choice D rationale:

Keeping the client on bed rest is not the best option for preventing thrombophlebitis in a postpartum client. Immobility can increase the risk of stasis and clot formation. Promoting circulation, such as elevating the legs with pillows, is a more effective strategy to reduce the risk of thrombophlebitis.

A nurse is assisting with the admission of a client who is in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation and has a new prescription for betamethasone. Which of the following statements should the nurse make? The correct answer is Choice A: "The purpose of this medication is to boost fetal lung maturity.”.

Choice A rationale:

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery to accelerate fetal lung maturation. It promotes the production of surfactant in the fetal lungs, which is essential for preventing respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants. This statement provides accurate information about the medication's purpose.

Choice B rationale:

Stating that the medication is for stopping preterm labor contractions is incorrect. Betamethasone is not a tocolytic agent used to halt contractions. It is solely administered to enhance fetal lung maturity and has no direct effect on uterine contractions.

Choice C rationale:

Indicating that the medication's purpose is to increase the fetal heart rate is inaccurate. Betamethasone does not affect fetal heart rate. Its primary role is to enhance the development of the fetal lungs to improve the newborn's respiratory function.

Choice D rationale:

Mentioning that the medication is to halt cervical dilation is not correct. Betamethasone is not intended to stop cervical dilation or prevent preterm labor. Its primary function is to prepare the fetal lungs for better functioning after birth.