An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports to the charge nurse that a client who delivered a 7-pound (3,175 gram) infant 12 hours ago is reporting 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. Which action should the charge nurse implement first?

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

Obtain a STAT hemoglobin and hematocrit

Notify the healthcare provider of the assessment findings

Determine if the client received anesthesia during delivery

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Assign a practical nurse (PN) to reassess the client's vital signs:
While reassessing vital signs is important, the reported severe headache after delivery is a symptom that requires immediate attention. It's more appropriate for a licensed professional, such as the nurse or healthcare provider, to assess and decide the course of action.

B. Obtain a STAT hemoglobin and hematocrit:
While assessing hemoglobin and hematocrit can provide information about potential postpartum hemorrhage, it may not be the first action needed in this context. The severe headache suggests a possible neurological concern that should be addressed promptly.

C. Notify the healthcare provider of the assessment findings:
This is the most appropriate initial action. Severe headache after delivery, especially if the client had received anesthesia, could be indicative of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH). Prompt notification allows the healthcare provider to assess and decide on the necessary interventions.

D. Determine if the client received anesthesia during delivery:
Knowing the type of anesthesia is important for understanding potential complications. However, this information alone might not guide immediate actions. The focus should be on addressing the reported severe headache promptly.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Insert a Foley catheter with a urimeter to monitor hourly output: This is a reasonable intervention because magnesium sulfate can affect renal function, and monitoring urinary output is essential. However, there's a more critical intervention to consider first.

B. Have calcium gluconate immediately available: This is the highest priority. Magnesium sulfate toxicity can lead to neuromuscular blockade, and calcium gluconate is the antidote. Having it readily available is crucial in case signs of magnesium toxicity (such as loss of deep tendon reflexes) appear.

C. Provide a quiet environment with subdued lighting: While maintaining a calm environment is generally important for clients on magnesium sulfate, it is not the highest priority in this situation.

D. Assess deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) every 4 hours: This is an important part of monitoring for magnesium sulfate toxicity. However, the immediate availability of calcium gluconate is the highest priority in case toxicity occurs.

A. dilate the pupil so the red reflex can be visualized B. prevent herpes infection. C. prevent eye infections D. clear the infant's vision

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Dilate the pupil so the red reflex can be visualized:
This statement is not accurate regarding the purpose of the eye ointment. The eye ointment is not used to dilate the pupil but serves a different purpose.

B. Prevent herpes infection:
While eye ointment can help prevent certain eye infections, it's not specifically administered to prevent herpes infection.

C. Prevent eye infections:
This is the correct answer. The eye ointment typically contains an antibiotic and is applied to prevent infections, particularly those that could be transmitted during childbirth.

D. Clear the infant's vision:
The eye ointment is not used to clear the infant's vision. Its primary purpose is to prevent infections rather than affect vision.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A father watching the admission of his newborn to the nursery notices that eye ointment is placed in the infant's eyes. He asks the nurse what is the purpose of the ointment. The nurse would be correct in stating that the purpose for using the ointment is to

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client at 40-weeks gestation presents to the obstetrical floor and indicates that the amniotic membranes ruptured spontaneously at home. She is in active labor, and feels the need to bear down and push. Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

After breast-feeding 10 minutes at each breast, a new mother calls the nurse to the postpartum room to help change the newborn's diaper. As the mother begins the diaper change, the newborn spits up the breast milk. What action should the nurse implement first?

A client who is 32 weeks gestation comes to the women's health clinic and reports nausea and vomiting. On examination, the nurse notes that the client has an elevated blood pressure. Which action should the nurse implement next?

After two miscarriages, a client is instructed to increase her daily intake of foods that includes folic acid. The client does not like green leafy vegetables and states she is allergic to soy. Which food should the nurse suggest that the client eat to obtain folic acid?

The nurse is caring for a client whose fetus died in utero at 32-weeks gestation. After the fetus is delivered vaginally, the nurse implements routine fetal demise protocol and identification procedures Which action is most important for the nurse to take?

What instruction is most important for the nurse to provide a client in the first trimester of pregnancy who is experiencing nausea?

A 25-year-old client who had a severe postpartum hemorrhage following the vaginal birth of twins is transferred to the postpartum unit. The nurse knows that assessment for what complication has the highest priority for this client?