An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) informs the charge nurse that a client who delivered a 7-pound (3,175 gram) infant 12 hours ago is experiencing a severe headache.
The client’s blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, respiratory rate is 18 breaths/minute, heart rate is 74 beats/minute, and temperature is 98.6° F (37° C). The client’s fundus is firm and one fingerbreadth above the umbilicus.
What should the charge nurse do first?

Notify the healthcare provider of the assessment findings.

Obtain a STAT hemoglobin and hematocrit.

Determine if the client received anesthesia during delivery.

Assign a practical nurse (PN) to reassess the client’s vital signs.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale

While notifying the healthcare provider of the assessment findings is important, it would not be the first action to take. The nurse should first gather more information about the client’s condition.

Choice B rationale

Obtaining a STAT hemoglobin and hematocrit would not be the first action to take. These tests could provide information about the client’s blood volume and potential for anemia, but they would not directly address the client’s complaint of a severe headache.

Choice C rationale

Determining if the client received anesthesia during delivery is the correct first action. A severe headache in the postpartum period can be a sign of a post-dural puncture headache, which can occur as a complication of spinal or epidural anesthesia.

Choice D rationale

Assigning a practical nurse (PN) to reassess the client’s vital signs would not be the first action to take. While ongoing monitoring of the client’s vital signs is important, the nurse should first investigate the potential cause of the client’s severe headache.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While remaining on clear liquids until the vomiting subsides may seem like a reasonable approach, it may not be the best course of action for a pregnant woman who has been vomiting for 24 hours. This is because prolonged vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can be harmful to both the mother and the fetus.

Choice B rationale

Taking nothing by mouth until there is no more nausea is not advisable in this situation. Nausea can persist even after vomiting has stopped, and it’s important for the woman to stay hydrated and nourished.

Choice C rationale

The best course of action in this situation is for the woman to come to the clinic to be seen by a healthcare provider. This is because prolonged vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can be harmful to both the mother and the fetus. In addition, the healthcare provider can assess the woman’s condition and provide appropriate treatment.

Choice D rationale

Making an appointment at the clinic if a fever occurs is not the best advice in this situation. While it’s important to seek medical attention if a fever develops, the woman should not wait for this to happen before seeking help. Prolonged vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can be harmful to both the mother and the fetus, and should be addressed promptly.

A. Cervical dilation is 1 cm. B. Contractions decrease with walking. C. There is 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities. D. The membranes are intact.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Cervical dilation is a sign of labor, but a dilation of 1 cm alone does not confirm active labor. It could be the early phase of labor or false labor.

Choice B rationale

Contractions that decrease with walking are typically associated with false labor. In true labor, contractions usually get stronger regardless of activity level.

Choice C rationale

While 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities can be seen in pregnancy, it is not a reliable indicator of labor. It could be due to fluid retention or other conditions.

Choice D rationale

The status of the membranes (intact or ruptured) does not necessarily indicate whether a woman is in labor. Some women may experience membrane rupture before labor begins.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client who is at 10-weeks gestation calls the clinic because she has been vomiting for the past 24 hours. The nurse determines that the client has no fever.What instruction should the nurse give to this client?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

During a routine prenatal health assessment for a client in her third trimester, the client reports that she had fluid leakage on her way to the appointment.Which technique should the nurse implement to evaluate the leakage?

A client at 10-weeks gestation calls the clinic reporting a low-grade fever, moderate cramping, and heavy bright-red bleeding.What advice should the nurse give the client?

What is the most crucial assessment for the nurse to perform after administering epidural anesthesia to a patient who is at 40 weeks gestation?

A client informs the nurse that she believes she is pregnant. Which sign or symptom is the best indicator that the client is pregnant?

The nurse is providing preconception counseling.Which supplement should the nurse recommend to help prevent the occurrence of anencephaly?

The nurse is preparing to administer magnesium sulfate to a laboring client whose blood pressure has risen from 110/60 mmHg to 140/90 mmHg.Which nursing protocol is of the highest priority?

A patient in early labor is receiving oxytocin and begins to experience tachysystolic or tetanic contractions with variable fetal heart decelerations.What should the nurse do next?

A client who is 3 weeks postpartum tells the nurse, “I am so tired all the time. I didn’t realize having a baby would be this challenging.”. What should the nurse’s response be?