A patient had an episiotomy during her delivery. Which nursing action should be included in her plan of care for the first 12 hours?

Have her do Kegel exercises once an hour.

Apply ice to her perineal area.

Keep her hips slightly elevated.

Observe her perineal area for signs of infection.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

The correct answer is choice B. Apply ice to her perineal area. This is because ice can help reduce swelling and pain in the episiotomy wound, which is a cut made in the tissue between the vagina and anus during childbirth. Ice should be applied for the first 24 to 48 hours after delivery.

Choice A is wrong because Kegel exercises, which involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, are not recommended for the first 12 hours after an episiotomy. They can increase blood flow and inflammation in the area, and may interfere with healing.

Choice C is wrong because keeping her hips slightly elevated can cause pressure on the episiotomy wound and increase discomfort. It can also affect blood circulation and drainage in the area.

Choice D is wrong because observing her perineal area for signs of infection is not a nursing action that should be included in her plan of care for the first 12 hours. Infection is rare in episiotomy wounds, and signs of infection usually appear after 24 hours or later. However, the nurse should teach the patient how to keep the area clean and dry, and when to report any signs of infection, such as fever, pus, or foul-smelling discharge.

Normal ranges for episiotomy healing are:

• Stitches dissolve within 2 to 4 weeks

• Pain and swelling subside within a few days to a week

• Wound heals completely within 4 to 6 weeks

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The correct answer is choice C. Count the time from the beginning of one contraction to the end of the same contraction.

This is because the duration of a contraction is the length of time that the uterine muscle is tightening and relaxing.

The duration is measured from the start of one contraction until the end of that same contraction.

Choice A is wrong because it measures the frequency of contractions, not the duration.

The frequency is the time between the start of one contraction and the start of the next one.

Choice B is wrong because it measures only half of the duration of a contraction.

The middle of a contraction is when the uterine muscle reaches its peak intensity and then starts to relax.

Choice D is wrong because it measures both the duration and the interval of contractions.

The interval is the time between the end of one contraction and the start of the next one.

Normal ranges for contractions during labor are:

• Duration: 30 to 90 seconds

• Frequency: 2 to 5 minutes apart

• Interval: 30 to 120 seconds

A. Document the findings. B. Pause the oxytocin infusion. C. Raise the head of the patient’s bed 30 degrees. D. Notify the health care provider. E. Notify the health care provider.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

This is because late fetal heart rate decelerations are a sign of uteroplacental insufficiency, which means that the placenta is not delivering enough oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.Oxytocin can cause uterine tachysystole, which is excessive and frequent contractions that reduce blood flow to the placenta.Therefore, stopping the oxytocin infusion can help improve placental perfusion and fetal oxygenation.

Choice A is wrong because documenting the findings is not a priority action in this situation.

The nurse should first intervene to address the cause of late decelerations and then document the actions and outcomes.

Choice C is wrong because raising the head of the patient’s bed 30 degrees does not directly affect the placental blood flow or fetal oxygenation.

It may help with maternal comfort and breathing, but it is not an essential action for late decelerations.

Choice D is wrong because notifying the health care provider is not the first action to take.The nurse should first attempt to correct the cause of late decelerations by pausing the oxytocin infusion and then notify the health care provider if there is no improvement or if there are other signs of fetal distress.

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A patient had an episiotomy during her delivery. Which nursing action should be included in her plan of care for the first 12 hours?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a patient who is in labor and is placed on a monitor.How should the nurse determine the duration of contractions?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A patient’s labor is induced using an intravenous infusion of 1,000 mL Ringer’s lactate with 10 units of oxytocin. Two hours later, the nurse notes a pattern of late fetal heart rate decelerations detected on the fetal monitor.Which action is essential for the nurse to take first?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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