A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is in active labor.
The fetal monitor tracing shows late decelerations. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Elevate the client's legs.
Turn the client onto their side.
Palpate the client's uterus.
Increase the client's IV fluid infusion rate.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Elevating the client's legs is incorrect as an initial intervention. It is more important to address the potential cause of the late decelerations first.
Choice B rationale
Turning the client onto their side is correct. This intervention can improve blood flow to the fetus and reduce the pressure on the vena cava, potentially alleviating late decelerations.
Choice C rationale
Palpating the client's uterus is not the first action. It is essential to address maternal positioning and oxygenation issues first.
Choice D rationale
Increasing the client's IV fluid infusion rate may help, but it is not the initial action. Positioning changes can have an immediate effect on fetal oxygenation.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Assisting the client's partner to apply counterpressure to the sacrum can help alleviate the low-back pain associated with early labor by providing direct pressure to the area experiencing discomfort.
Choice B rationale
Maintaining the client on bed rest until active labor begins is not typically recommended, as mobility can help with the progression of labor and pain management.
Choice C rationale
Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is not necessary for managing low-back pain in early labor and can increase the risk of infection and discomfort.
Choice D rationale
Teaching the client to hold their breath during contractions is not advisable, as it can lead to increased pain and decreased oxygenation for both the mother and baby. Breathing techniques are usually recommended to manage pain and ensure adequate oxygen delivery. .
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Testing for GBS at around 36 weeks of gestation is standard practice to identify carriers and prevent neonatal GBS infections through intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis if necessary.
Choice B rationale
Cesarean birth is not indicated solely based on a positive GBS status. The primary intervention is intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce the risk of neonatal infection.
Choice C rationale
Routine antibiotic administration during the last weeks of pregnancy is not standard practice; antibiotics are given during labor if GBS is present to prevent transmission to the baby.
Choice D rationale
GBS infection does not cause hearing loss in newborns. The primary concern is neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis, not hearing loss.