A nurse on the labor and delivery unit is caring for a patient undergoing labor induction with oxytocin administered through a secondary IV line.
Uterine contractions occur every 2 minutes, last 90 seconds, and are strong to palpation.
The baseline fetal heart rate is 150/min, with uniform decelerations beginning at the peak of the contraction and a return to baseline after the contraction is over.
What action should the nurse take?
Slow the client’s rate of breathing.
Increase the rate of infusion of the IV oxytocin.
Discontinue the infusion of the IV oxytocin.
Decrease the rate of infusion of the maintenance IV solution.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Slowing the client’s rate of breathing would not directly address the issue of strong, frequent contractions and uniform decelerations of the fetal heart rate. These symptoms suggest uterine hyperstimulation, which can compromise fetal oxygenation.
Choice B rationale
Increasing the rate of infusion of the IV oxytocin would likely exacerbate the problem, as oxytocin can cause uterine hyperstimulation, leading to reduced fetal oxygen supply.
Choice C rationale
Discontinuing the infusion of the IV oxytocin is the appropriate action. The pattern of contractions and fetal heart rate decelerations suggest uterine hyperstimulation, which can be caused by excessive oxytocin. Stopping the oxytocin infusion can help to normalize the contraction pattern and improve fetal oxygenation.
Choice D rationale
Decreasing the rate of infusion of the maintenance IV solution would not directly address the issue of uterine hyperstimulation and fetal heart rate decelerations.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Assessing her skin for hydration and color can provide some information about the client’s overall health and nutritional status, but it doesn’t directly assess her diet.
Choice B rationale
Assessing a list she makes describing a good diet can provide information about the client’s knowledge of nutrition, but it doesn’t provide information about her actual dietary intake.
Choice C rationale
Asking her to describe her intake for the last week can provide a more accurate picture of her actual dietary habits and nutritional status.
Choice D rationale
Asking her to describe her total intake for a week during pregnancy can provide information about her dietary habits during pregnancy, but it doesn’t assess her current diet.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The palpability of the posterior fontanel is not related to the position of the fetus.
Choice B rationale
The level of the ischial spines refers to the station of the fetus, not its position.
Choice C rationale
The passage of the largest fetal diameter through the pelvic outlet is a stage of labor, not a fetal position.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. The left occiput posterior position refers to the position of the fetal head.
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