As a woman enters the second stage of labor, her membranes spontaneously rupture. What action should the nurse take?
Check fetal heart rate
instruct her to bare down with the next contraction
Place her legs in stirrups
Test a sample of the amniotic fluid for meconium
The Correct Answer is A
A) Check fetal heart rate:
The first priority when a woman's membranes spontaneously rupture is to assess fetal well-being. The nurse should immediately check the fetal heart rate (FHR) after the rupture of membranes to evaluate for any signs of fetal distress. If there are any concerns regarding the FHR, further interventions may be needed, such as adjusting the maternal position or preparing for a possible emergent delivery. Monitoring the FHR will help guide subsequent decisions regarding care.
B) Instruct her to bear down with the next contraction:
While the second stage of labor involves pushing, it is important to wait for the appropriate signs of readiness before instructing the mother to bear down. The nurse should ensure the cervix is fully dilated and that fetal descent is progressing appropriately. Rushing into pushing too early or without proper readiness can lead to maternal and fetal complications.
C) Place her legs in stirrups:
Placing the mother’s legs in stirrups is typically done once she is in the active phase of pushing (typically when the cervix is fully dilated and fetal descent is ready). It is not the first priority immediately after the membranes rupture. The nurse should first assess the fetal heart rate and ensure the woman is comfortable and ready to push before assuming the lithotomy position or placing her legs in stirrups.
D) Test a sample of the amniotic fluid for meconium:
Testing the amniotic fluid for meconium should be done if there is concern that the amniotic fluid may be stained, as meconium in the amniotic fluid can be a sign of fetal distress. However, the first action after the membranes rupture is to check the fetal heart rate. If the FHR is normal, further actions, like testing the fluid, may follow, but the priority remains assessing fetal well-being.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Milia:
Milia are tiny white or yellowish cysts that appear on a newborn's face, particularly on the nose, chin, or forehead. They are caused by the accumulation of keratin under the skin. Milia usually disappear within a few weeks of life and are not related to the pinkish marks described in the question.
B) Telangiectatic nevi (stork bites):
This finding is consistent with telangiectatic nevi, also known as stork bites. These are flat, irregular, pinkish-red marks often found on the forehead, eyelids, and nape of the neck. They are caused by dilated capillaries in the skin and are common in newborns. The marks blanch when pressed and are usually harmless, disappearing within the first 1-2 years of life. This is the correct answer based on the description provided in the question.
C) Nevus flammeus (port wine stain):
A port wine stain is a dark red to purple, flat birthmark caused by capillary malformations. Unlike stork bites, a port wine stain does not blanch when pressed and is typically present for life. It usually appears on the face, neck, or arms, and the coloration remains the same over time.
D) Nevus vasculosus (strawberry mark):
A strawberry mark is a raised, red, and bumpy birthmark that results from proliferation of capillaries. These marks typically appear in the first few weeks of life and grow in size before eventually shrinking and disappearing by the age of 5-10 years. Strawberry marks are not flat, pinkish, or blanchable, making this option unlikely in the scenario described.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) At the umbilicus:
After delivery, the fundus is typically located at or just below the umbilicus in the immediate postpartum period, but it will gradually descend over the next few days. By 8 hours postpartum, the fundus is often slightly below the umbilicus, not directly at the umbilicus. The fundus will continue to shrink in size and move downward toward the pelvic region as the uterus contracts and involutes.
B) At a non-palpable depth:
A fundus that is non-palpable is generally expected later in the postpartum period, typically by 10-14 days after delivery, as the uterus contracts and returns to its pre-pregnancy size. At 8 hours postpartum, the fundus is still palpable, generally just below the umbilicus, and should be evaluated for firmness and position.
C) Just above the symphysis pubis:
The fundus is usually higher than the symphysis pubis at 8 hours postpartum, as it is still in the process of descending from the higher position it occupied during pregnancy. It would be expected to be just below the umbilicus or about 1 to 2 finger widths below it. By the second or third day postpartum, the fundus begins to move lower toward the symphysis pubis as it continues to involute.
D) Just below the umbilicus:
Eight hours after delivery, the nurse should expect to palpate the fundus just below the umbilicus. This is a typical finding as the uterus begins to contract and shrink after the delivery of the placenta. The fundus will descend about 1-2 cm per day postpartum, so by 8 hours, it is usually just slightly below the level of the umbilicus.
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