Midterm Flashcards
A patient is in active labor and is being continuously monitored with a fetal monitor. The patient’s labor has been normal to this point. The patient’s membranes ruptured 1 hour ago, and the fluid was clear. The FHR baseline is 125 bpm. Contractions are occurring every 3 minutes and lasting 60 seconds, and are of moderate intensity with a soft resting tone. On entering the room, the nurse sees the patient lying supine and notices that there has been abrupt slowing in the FHR to 90 bpm during the last two contractions, each episode lasting 30 seconds or less. The patient complains of breathlessness and becomes pale and diaphoretic. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
A. Initiate oxygen therapy at 8 to 10 L/min by face mask and increase nonadditive IV fluid.
B. Reposition the patient, check blood pressure, and continue to monitor the FHR pattern.
C. Notify the practitioner and document findings in the patient’s record.
D. Notify the practitioner and prepare for cesarean delivery
B. Reposition the patient, check blood pressure, and continue to monitor the FHR pattern.
Which of the following is the priority intervention for a supine patient whose monitor strip shows decelerations that begin after the peak of the contraction and return to the baseline after the contraction ends?
A. Increase IV infusion.
B. Elevate lower extremities.
C. Reposition to left side-lying position.
D. Administer oxygen per face mask at 4 to 6 L/minute.
C. Reposition to left side-lying position.
What if the mom can’t turn and is laying supine?
place a wedge under hips to tilt the uterus
Adequate intake of which of the following nutrients has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects?
A) folic acid
B) mercury
C) vitamin D
D) vitamin C
A) folic acid
A pregnant patient arrives for her first prenatal visit at the clinic. She informs the nurse that she has been taking an additional 400 mcg of folic acid prior to becoming pregnant. Based on the patient’s history, she has reached 8 weeks’ gestation. Which recommendation would the nurse provide regarding folic acid supplementation?
A. Have the patient continue to take 400 mcg folic acid throughout her pregnancy.
B. Tell the patient that she no longer has to take additional folic acid because it will be included in her prenatal vitamins.
C. Have the patient increase her folic acid intake to 1000 mcg throughout the rest of her pregnancy.
D. Schedule the patient to go for an AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) test.
B. Tell the patient that she no longer has to take additional folic acid because it will be included in her prenatal vitamins.
The pregnant teen who was prescribed prenatal vitamins at her initial prenatal visit states that she does not like to take them. How should the nurse respond? SATA
A. “Folic acid has been found to be essential for minimizing the risk of neural tube defects.”
B. “You do not have to take these supplements if you think you are healthy enough.”
C. “These medications do the same thing. I will call your doctor to cancel one of your medications.”
D. “You can trust your doctor to know what you need.”
E. “You need the supplements because your dietary intake may not be adequate for fetal development.”
A. “Folic acid has been found to be essential for minimizing the risk of neural tube defects.”
E. “You need the supplements because your dietary intake may not be adequate for fetal development.”
The nurse is reviewing an electronic fetal monitor tracing from a patient in active labor and notes the fetal heart rate gradually drops to 20 beats per minute (bpm) below the baseline and returns to the baseline well after the completion of the patient’s contractions. How will the nurse document these findings?
A. Late decelerations
B. Early decelerations
C. Variable decelerations
D. Proximal decelerations
A. Late decelerations
What are examples of late deceleration causes and complications?
- Uteroplacental insufficiency causing inadequate fetal oxygenation
- Maternal hypotension, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, uterine tachysystole with oxytocin
- Preeclampsia
- Late- or post-term pregnancy
- Maternal diabetes mellitus
What is the best nursing action to implement when late decelerations occur?
a. Reposition the patient to supine
b. Decrease flow of intravenous (IV) fluids
c. Increase oxygen to 10 L/minute
d. Prepare to increase oxytocin drip
c. Increase oxygen to 10 L/minute
The nurse evaluates a pattern on the fetal monitor that appears similar to early decelerations. The deceleration begins near the acme of the contraction and continues well beyond the end of the contraction. Which nursing action indicates the proper evaluation of this situation?
A. This pattern reflects variable decelerations. No interventions are necessary at this time.
B. Document this Category I fetal heart rate pattern and decrease the rate of the intravenous (IV) fluid.
C. Continue to monitor these early decelerations, which occur as the fetal head is compressed during a contraction.
D. This deceleration pattern is associated with uteroplacental insufficiency. The nurse must act quickly to improve placental blood flow and fetal oxygen supply.
D. This deceleration pattern is associated with uteroplacental insufficiency. The nurse must act quickly to improve placental blood flow and fetal oxygen supply.
What are late decelerations associated with?
fetal hypoxia and uterine rupture
AKA fetal distress
What are nursing interventions for late decelerations?
- place pt in side-lying position
- insert an IV catheter and increase rate of IV infusion
- Discontinue oxytocin is being infused
- Administer O2 by mask 8-10 L/min via nonrebreather
- elevate pt legs
- notify hcp
Which data found on a patient’s health history would place her at risk for an ectopic pregnancy?
A. Ovarian cyst 2 years ago
B. Recurrent pelvic infections
C. Use of oral contraceptives for 5 years
D. Heavy menstrual flow of 4 days’ duration
B. Recurrent pelvic infections
What is an ectopic pregnancy? What can it lead to?
ovum implants in the fallopian tubes or abdominal cavity
lead to:
- fallopian tube can rupture
- extensive bleeding
What are s/s of ectopic pregnancy?
-unilateral stabbing pain and tenderness in the lower abdominal quadrant
- late period 1-2 weeks, lighter than usual, or irregular
- SCANT, DARK RED, OR BROWN vaginal spotting 6-8 weeks after last normal menses
- red vaginal bleeding if rupture has occurred
-Referred shoulder pain due to blood in the peritoneal cavity
What are s/s of a hemorrhage?
shock (dizziness, hypotension, pallor)
large amounts of blood
A 35-year-old female is in labor. The baby is engaged in the pelvis. As the nurse you know that this means that the fetal station is approximately?
A. +1
B. 0
C. +2
D. -1
B. 0
When the mother’s membranes rupture during active labor, the fetal heart rate should be observed for the occurrence of which periodic pattern?
A. Early decelerations
B. Variable decelerations
C. Non Periodic accelerations
D. Increase in baseline variability
B. Variable decelerations
What is the most likely cause for this fetal heart rate pattern?
A. Administration of an epidural for pain relief during labor
B. Cord compression
C. Breech position of fetus
D. Administration of meperidine (Demerol) for pain relief during labor
B. Cord compression
When a pattern of variable decelerations occur, the nurse should immediately
A. administer O2 at 8 to 10 L/minute.
B. place a wedge under the right hip.
C. increase the IV fluids to 150 mL/hour.
D. position patient in a knee-chest position.
D. position patient in a knee-chest position.
What are examples of causes and complications of variable decelerations?
- umbilical cord compression
- short cord
- prolapsed cord
- nuchal cord (around fetal neck)
Use Nägele’s rule to determine the EDD (estimated day of birth) for a patient whose last menstrual period started on April 12.
A. February 19
B. January 19
C. January 21
D. February 7
B. January 19
Calculate the estimated date of birth (EDD) in October using Nägele’s rule for a patient whose last normal menstrual period (LNMP) began on January 1. Record your answer as a whole number.
october 8
When a Category II pattern of the fetal heart rate is noted and the patient is lying on her left side, which nursing action is indicated?
A. Lower the head of the bed.
B. Place a wedge under the left hip.
C. Change her position to the right side.
D. Place the mother in Trendelenburg position.
C. Change her position to the right side.