ATI RN
Maternal Fetal Monitoring Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is assessing a 36-week pregnant patient who is complaining of sudden and severe headaches. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the patient's blood pressure and check for signs of preeclampsia. Sudden and severe headaches in a pregnant patient could indicate preeclampsia, a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure. The nurse's priority is to assess for signs of preeclampsia to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby. Encouraging rest or a warm shower, administering pain medication, or advising hydration do not address the potential underlying issue of preeclampsia and could delay necessary medical intervention.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is assisting with a vaginal delivery. What is the most important action to take when the fetal head begins to crown?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: apply gentle downward pressure. This action helps prevent the baby from being born too quickly, reducing the risk of tearing for the mother. It also ensures a controlled delivery, decreasing the likelihood of complications such as shoulder dystocia. Administering pain relief (B) or analgesics (C) may be necessary but not the most crucial at this moment. Performing perineal massage (D) is beneficial for reducing the risk of tearing but is not as important as guiding the baby's head during crowning.
Question 3 of 5
A woman who has had multiple cesarean sections is in labor. What is the most important complication to monitor for?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A: Uterine rupture Rationale: 1. History of multiple cesarean sections increases the risk of uterine rupture. 2. Uterine rupture is a life-threatening complication for both mother and baby. 3. Signs include sudden severe abdominal pain, fetal distress, and hemodynamic instability. 4. Immediate intervention is crucial to prevent adverse outcomes. Summary: B: Precipitous labor - Quick labor is not specifically associated with multiple cesarean sections. C: Maternal hypotension - Important but not the most critical complication in this scenario. D: Fetal malpresentation - While important, it is not the most immediate concern compared to uterine rupture.
Question 4 of 5
A pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation reports dizziness and faintness when standing. What is the nurse's most appropriate recommendation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Instruct the patient to increase fluid intake and stand slowly. This recommendation is appropriate because the patient is likely experiencing orthostatic hypotension due to the expanding uterus compressing blood vessels, leading to decreased blood flow to the brain when standing. Increasing fluid intake helps maintain blood volume, while standing slowly helps prevent sudden drops in blood pressure. A: Rising quickly can worsen dizziness by further decreasing blood flow to the brain. C: Resting in bed may not address the underlying issue of orthostatic hypotension and may lead to deconditioning. D: Avoiding standing for long periods may be impractical and may not address the need to maintain adequate blood volume and prevent sudden drops in blood pressure.
Question 5 of 5
A patient with a history of asthma is about to receive an epidural block for pain management during labor. What should the nurse monitor for after the procedure?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Respiratory depression. After receiving an epidural block, the nurse should monitor for respiratory depression in a patient with a history of asthma due to the potential for decreased lung function. This is crucial as the medication from the block can affect respiratory drive, leading to compromised breathing. Tachycardia (choice B), elevated blood pressure (choice C), and hyperthermia (choice D) are not typically associated with epidural blocks and are not the primary concerns for a patient with asthma undergoing this procedure.