Nursing Elites

1. A client at 38 weeks gestation is admitted to labor and delivery with a complaint of contractions 5 minutes apart. While the client is in the bathroom changing into a hospital gown, the nurse hears the noise of a baby. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Push the call light for help
• B. Inspect the client's perineum
• C. Notify a healthcare provider
• D. Turn on the infant warmer

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Inspecting the client's perineum immediately is necessary to assess if the baby is being delivered, which would require urgent action. Pushing the call light for help (Choice A) may delay the assessment and immediate action needed. Notifying a healthcare provider (Choice C) might cause further delays, as the situation requires urgent attention. Turning on the infant warmer (Choice D) is not the priority; ensuring safe delivery and assessment of the baby's condition come first.

2. A multiparous woman has been in labor for 8 hours. Her membranes have just ruptured. What is the nurse’s highest priority in this situation?

• A. Prepare the woman for imminent birth.
• B. Notify the woman’s primary healthcare provider.
• C. Document the characteristics of the fluid.
• D. Assess the fetal heart rate (FHR) and pattern.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the fetal heart rate (FHR) and pattern (Choice D). When a multiparous woman's membranes rupture after 8 hours of labor, the nurse's priority is to assess the fetal well-being. Rupture of membranes can lead to potential complications such as umbilical cord prolapse. Monitoring the fetal heart rate and pattern immediately after the rupture of membranes is crucial to ensure the fetus is not in distress. This assessment helps in determining the need for immediate interventions to safeguard the fetus. Documenting the characteristics of the fluid (Choice C) may be necessary but is of lower priority compared to assessing fetal well-being. While preparing the woman for imminent birth (Choice A) is important, assessing the fetal heart rate takes precedence to ensure the fetus is not compromised. Notifying the woman's primary healthcare provider (Choice B) is also important but not the highest priority at this moment.

3. A newborn's head circumference is 12 inches (30.5 cm) and his chest measurement is 13 inches (33 cm). The nurse notes that this infant has no molding, and it was a breech presentation delivered by cesarean section. What action should the nurse take based on this data?

• A. No action needs to be taken, it is normal for an infant born by cesarean section to have a small head circumference.
• B. Notify the pediatrician immediately. These signs support the possibility of hydrocephalus.
• C. Call these findings to the attention of the pediatrician. The head/chest ratio is abnormal.
• D. Record the findings on the chart. They are within normal limits.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Head and chest circumference measurements are within normal limits for a newborn, especially for those delivered by cesarean section, so no immediate action is required beyond documentation.

4. The healthcare provider is planning care for a client at 30 weeks gestation who is experiencing preterm labor. Which medication is most important in preventing this fetus from developing respiratory distress syndrome?

• A. Ampicillin 1 gram IV push every 8 hours
• B. Betamethasone 12 mg deep IM
• C. Terbutaline 0.25 mg subcutaneously every 15 minutes for 3 doses
• D. Butorphanol tartrate 1 mg IV push every 2 hours as needed

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to stimulate fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants. Ampicillin (Choice A) is an antibiotic and does not prevent respiratory distress syndrome. Terbutaline (Choice C) is a tocolytic used to inhibit contractions and does not directly prevent respiratory distress syndrome. Butorphanol tartrate (Choice D) is an opioid analgesic and does not have a role in preventing respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants.

5. A healthcare professional is planning care for a full-term newborn who is receiving phototherapy. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional include in the plan of care?

• A. Dress the newborn in lightweight clothing.
• B. Avoid using lotion or ointment on the newborn's skin.
• C. Keep the newborn supine throughout treatment.
• D. Measure the newborn's temperature every 8 hours.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a newborn is receiving phototherapy, it is important to avoid using lotions or ointments on their skin as these products can lead to skin irritation and burns under the phototherapy lights. Dressing the newborn in lightweight clothing helps ensure proper exposure to the phototherapy lights. Keeping the newborn supine during treatment helps maximize exposure to the light. However, the key consideration in this scenario is to prevent skin irritation and burns by avoiding lotions or ointments.

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