Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is providing care to a client who is in active labor. The nurse observes variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via face mask
• B. Reposition the client from side to side
• C. Increase the rate of the IV infusion
• D. Notify the provider

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action the nurse should take first when observing variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate is to reposition the client from side to side. Variable decelerations are often caused by umbilical cord compression, and repositioning the client can relieve pressure on the cord. Administering oxygen, increasing the IV infusion rate, and notifying the provider can be appropriate actions but repositioning the client takes priority in addressing variable decelerations.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who is postpartum and breastfeeding. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide to prevent mastitis?

• A. Feed the newborn on demand
• B. Apply warm compresses to the breast before feeding
• C. Massage the breast after feedings
• D. Ensure the newborn empties one breast before switching to the other

Correct answer: D

Rationale: To prevent mastitis, the nurse should instruct the client to ensure that the newborn empties one breast before switching to the other. This helps to prevent milk stasis, reducing the risk of inflammation and infection. Choice A is incorrect because feeding on demand is recommended to establish a good milk supply and prevent engorgement. Choice B is incorrect as warm compresses are usually applied before feeding to promote milk flow. Choice C is incorrect because massaging the breast after feedings can actually increase the risk of mastitis by causing further irritation.

3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is postpartum and had a cesarean birth. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. You should avoid lifting anything heavier than your newborn
• B. You should not lift anything heavier than your newborn
• C. You should wait 1 week before driving
• D. You can resume sexual activity in 2 weeks

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client who is postpartum and had a cesarean birth is to not lift anything heavier than her newborn. This precaution is crucial to prevent injury to the healing incision site and allow for proper recovery. Choice A is incorrect as it implies resuming abdominal exercises in 2 weeks, which may strain the incision area. Choice C is incorrect because the client should wait longer than 1 week before driving to ensure they can perform emergency maneuvers if needed. Choice D is incorrect as resuming sexual activity in 2 weeks may put strain on the healing tissues and increase the risk of complications.

4. A nurse is caring for a newborn who has neonatal abstinence syndrome. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Swaddle the newborn tightly
• B. Provide frequent tactile stimulation
• C. Position the newborn in a prone position
• D. Offer large feedings every 4 hours

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when caring for a newborn with neonatal abstinence syndrome is to swaddle the newborn tightly. Swaddling helps to provide comfort and reduce irritability in these newborns. Choice B, providing frequent tactile stimulation, may exacerbate the symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome by overstimulating the newborn. Choice C, positioning the newborn in a prone position, is not recommended as it increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Choice D, offering large feedings every 4 hours, is not appropriate as newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome may have feeding difficulties and need smaller, more frequent feedings.

5. A nurse is providing care for a client who is in active labor and receiving oxytocin. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Contraction frequency of 2 minutes
• B. Contraction duration of 90 seconds
• C. Fetal heart rate of 150/min
• D. Urine output of 60 mL/hr

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A contraction duration of 90 seconds can indicate uterine tachysystole, which may lead to fetal hypoxia. Uterine tachysystole is defined as more than five contractions in 10 minutes, averaged over a 30-minute window. Contractions every 2 minutes (Choice A) may occur in active labor but need to be assessed in conjunction with other factors. A fetal heart rate of 150/min (Choice C) is within the normal range. Urine output of 60 mL/hr (Choice D) is also within the expected range for a client in labor.

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