Health Nursing: A Case-Based Approach 2nd
Edition O’Meara Containing Questions with
Answers
Which comfort measure should the nurse utilize a laboring woman to relax?
A: recommend frequent position changes
B: palpate her filling bladder every 15 minutes
C: offer warm wet cloths to use on the client's face and neck
D: keep the room lights lit so the client and her coach can see everything - Correct Answer>>A:
recommend frequent position changes
Frequent maternal position changes reduce the discomfort from constant pressure and
promote fetal descent. A full bladder intensifies labor pain. The bladder should be emptied
every 2 hours. Women in labor become very hot and perspire. Cool cloths will provide greater
relief. Soft indirect lighting is more soothing than irritating bright lights.
Which assessment finding is an indication of hemorrhage in the recently delivered postpartum
patient?
A: elevated pulse rate
B: elevated blood pressure
C: firm funds at the midline
D: saturation of two perineal pads in 4 hours - Correct Answer>>A: elevated pulse rate
An increasing pulse rate is an early sign of excessive blood loss. If the blood volume were
diminishing, the blood pressure would decrease. A firm fundus indicates that the uterus is
contracting and compressing the open blood vessels at the placental site. Saturation of one pad
within the first hour is the maximum normal amount of lochial flow. Two pads within 4 hours is
within normal limits.
, Which intervention is an essential part of nursing care for a laboring patient?
A: helping the woman manage the pain
B: eliminating the pain associated with labor
C: feeling comfortable with the predictable nature of intrapartal care
D: sharing personal experiences regarding labor and birth to decrease her anxiety - Correct
Answer>>A: helping the woman manage the pain
Helping a patient manage the pain is an essential part of nursing care because pain is an
expected part of normal labor and cannot be fully relieved. Labor pain cannot be fully relieved.
The labor nurse should always be assessing for unpredictable occurrences. Decreasing anxiety is
important; however, managing pain is a top priority.
A patient at 40 weeks' gestation should be instructed to go to a hospital or birth center for
evaluation when she experiences:
A: increased fetal movement
B: irregular contractions for 1 hour
C: a trickle of fluid from the vagina
D: thick pink or dark red vaginal mucus - Correct Answer>>C: a trickle of fluid from the vagina
A trickle of fluid from the vagina may indicate rupture of the membranes, requiring evaluation
for infection or cord compression. Decreased or the lack of fetal movement requires further
assessment. Irregular contractions are a sign of false labor and do not require further
assessment. Bloody show may occur before the onset of true labor. It does not require
professional assessment unless the bleeding is pronounced.
Which patient at term should proceed to the hospital or birth center the immediately after
labor begins?