A nurse is preparing a laboring person for a cesarean birth. What is the priority action before the procedure?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: administer IV fluids. Before a cesarean birth, IV fluids are crucial to maintain hydration and prevent hypotension due to anesthesia. Administering IV fluids helps stabilize the person's blood pressure during the procedure, reducing the risk of complications. A is incorrect because informed consent should be obtained earlier in the process. B is incorrect as preoperative medication is typically given closer to the procedure start time. D is incorrect as administering a sedative may affect the person's ability to participate in decision-making and care during the procedure. Administering IV fluids is the priority to ensure the person's safety and well-being during the cesarean birth.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Correct Answer: A: Administer oxygen Rationale: Fetal tachycardia indicates the fetus is not getting enough oxygen. Administering oxygen to the laboring person will help increase oxygen levels in their blood, leading to better oxygen supply to the fetus and potentially improving the fetal heart rate. Summary of Other Choices: B: Administering IV fluids may be helpful in some cases, but it is not the priority when dealing with fetal tachycardia. C: While monitoring maternal vital signs is important, addressing the fetal tachycardia and oxygen supply to the fetus takes precedence. D: Continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate is essential, but administering oxygen should be the immediate intervention to address the underlying issue of oxygen deficiency.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: monitor fetal heart rate. During the first stage of labor, assessing the fetal heart rate is crucial to ensure the well-being of the baby. It helps detect any signs of distress or complications early on. Monitoring the mother's health is also important, but ensuring the baby's safety takes precedence. Assessing cervical dilation (B) is important but not the priority in the early stage. Assisting with positioning (C) can help progress labor but is secondary to monitoring fetal well-being. Administering an epidural (D) is not a priority assessment but a pain management intervention.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: offer pain relief. Providing pain relief is crucial in preventing nipple trauma as it can help the postpartum person tolerate any discomfort associated with breastfeeding, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the nipples. Assisting with breastfeeding positioning (choice A) is important but not as critical as pain relief. Applying a cold compress (choice C) may help with inflammation but does not directly address the pain during breastfeeding. Monitoring contractions (choice D) is unrelated to preventing nipple trauma. Ultimately, addressing pain relief is the most effective intervention in ensuring successful and comfortable breastfeeding, thus preventing nipple trauma.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: ensure informed consent is signed. Before any procedure, obtaining informed consent is essential to ensure the laboring person understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the epidural. This helps promote autonomy and respect for the individual's decision-making. Administering pain medication (choice B), IV fluids (choice C), or an analgesic (choice D) without informed consent is not ethical and violates the principle of autonomy. The focus should be on providing comprehensive information and obtaining consent before proceeding with the intervention.