The nurse is caring for a client at 39 weeks gestation in active labor. The client had a spontaneous rupture of membranes 2 hours ago with clear amniotic fluid noted. The client was 7 cm at the time of SROM. The nurse assesses the fetal heart rate monitor and identifies a fetal heart baseline of 145 bpm, with moderate variability, accelerations absent and recurrent variable decelerations.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse take? Select all that apply.
Notify the provider.
Encourage the client to ambulate in the hallway.
Reposition the patient to the left lateral position.
Perform a sterile vaginal exam.
Correct Answer : A,C,D,E
Choice A rationale
Recurrent variable decelerations can indicate umbilical cord compression. Notifying the provider ensures immediate intervention if necessary to address potential fetal distress and to
monitor labor progression.
Choice B rationale
Ambulation is not recommended with recurrent variable decelerations. It might increase the risk of cord prolapse or other complications, further compromising fetal wellbeing.
Choice C rationale
Repositioning to the left lateral position helps improve uteroplacental blood flow and reduce cord compression, addressing the decelerations and promoting fetal oxygenation.
Choice D rationale
Performing a sterile vaginal exam can help identify any immediate issues like cord prolapse or rapid cervical changes that could impact labor management and fetal wellbeing.
Choice E rationale
Providing an IV fluid bolus can improve maternal hydration and placental perfusion, potentially alleviating the cause of variable decelerations by increasing blood flow and reducing cord
compression effects. .
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Blood pressure should be addressed first due to the client’s elevated BP (144/92 mmHg), which is a potential sign of complications such as preeclampsia.
Choice B rationale
Pulse of 99 bpm is slightly elevated but not immediately concerning compared to the high BP.
Choice C rationale
Respirations are within normal range (17/min) and do not require immediate intervention.
Choice D rationale
Temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) is slightly elevated but not as critical as the high BP.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Accelerations are increases in the fetal heart rate (FHR) above the baseline, typically in response to fetal movement or uterine contractions. They indicate a healthy, well-oxygenated
fetus and are not consistent with the described pattern of decelerations.
Choice B rationale
Late decelerations are characterized by a gradual decrease in FHR that begins after the contraction has started, with the lowest point of the deceleration (nadir) occurring after the
peak of the contraction. They are associated with uteroplacental insufficiency and fetal hypoxia, which is not described in the scenario.
Choice C rationale
Early decelerations are a gradual decrease in FHR that mirrors the contraction, starting with the contraction and returning to baseline as the contraction ends. The nadir of the
deceleration occurs at the peak of the contraction, which fits the pattern described.
Choice D rationale
Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in FHR that can occur at any time during the contraction cycle, usually due to umbilical cord compression. They are not uniform in
relation to contractions and can vary in duration, depth, and timing, unlike the described pattern.