A nurse is creating the plan of care for a client in active labor. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Keep four side rails up.
Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
Check the cervix prior to administering medication.
Monitor the fetal heart rate (FHR) every hour.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Keeping four side rails up is a safety measure to prevent falls, but it is not specific to the care of a client in active labor. It is a general safety precaution used for clients who are at risk of falling or have impaired mobility.
Choice B rationale
Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is not a routine action for a client in active labor. Catheterization is typically reserved for specific medical indications, such as urinary retention or the need for accurate urine output measurement in certain high-risk situations.
Choice C rationale
Checking the cervix prior to administering medication is crucial in active labor. This ensures that the medication is appropriate for the stage of labor and helps avoid complications such as administering pain relief too early or too late, which could affect labor progression and fetal well-being.
Choice D rationale
Monitoring the fetal heart rate (FHR) every hour is important, but it may not be frequent enough in active labor. Continuous or more frequent monitoring is often required to promptly detect any signs of fetal distress and take appropriate actions.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A non-stress test (NST) is a common test used to evaluate fetal well-being, especially in cases of decreased fetal movement. It measures the fetal heart rate in response to its movements. A reactive NST, where the fetal heart rate increases with movement, indicates good oxygenation and neurological function.
Choice B rationale
A contraction stress test (CST) evaluates the fetal heart rate response to uterine contractions, which can be induced by oxytocin or nipple stimulation. It is typically used to assess placental function and fetal tolerance to labor, not for initial assessment of decreased fetal movement.
Choice C rationale
A biophysical profile (BPP) combines an NST with ultrasound to assess fetal breathing, movement, tone, and amniotic fluid volume. While comprehensive, it is more time-consuming and usually reserved for further evaluation if the NST is non-reactive.
Choice D rationale
An ultrasound can assess fetal growth, amniotic fluid volume, and anatomical structures. However, it does not provide real-time information on fetal heart rate reactivity, making it less suitable for immediate assessment of decreased fetal movement.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Early decelerations are not caused by umbilical cord compression. Umbilical cord compression typically leads to variable decelerations, which have a different pattern and clinical significance.
Choice B rationale
Early decelerations are not caused by uteroplacental insufficiency. Uteroplacental insufficiency is associated with late decelerations, which occur after the peak of a contraction and indicate reduced blood flow to the fetus.
Choice C rationale
Early decelerations are not a result of the administration of medications. Medications can affect fetal heart rate patterns, but early decelerations are specifically related to fetal head compression.
Choice D rationale
Early decelerations are related to fetal head compression. They occur as the fetal head descends into the maternal pelvis and are generally considered benign, indicating normal labor progression.