Practice Question
A nurse in the labor and delivery unit is caring for a client who is undergoing external fetal monitoring. The nurse observes that the fetal heart rate begins to slow after the start of a contraction and the lowest rate occurs after the peak of the contraction. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Place the client in the lateral position.
Rationale:
🔷 Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, and the first priority is to improve uterine perfusion and oxygenation.
🔷 Placing the client in a lateral position reduces pressure on the vena cava, improves blood flow to the uterus and fetus, and helps resolve decelerations.
🔷 This is the least invasive and most immediate intervention.
🔷 Other interventions such as oxygen administration and IV fluid bolus may follow if late decelerations persist.
🔷 Positioning helps restore optimal fetal oxygenation and cardiac output.
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This question is from RN ATI Maternal Newborncare Final Exam which contains 91 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Maternal & Newborn Care
- Answer Choices: 4