ATI RN
Maternity Heartbeat Monitor Questions
Question 1 of 5
A pregnant patient at 36 weeks gestation is experiencing swelling in her hands and feet. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. At 36 weeks gestation, swelling in the hands and feet could be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition. The nurse's priority is to monitor the patient's blood pressure and assess for other signs of preeclampsia, such as headache, visual disturbances, and proteinuria. Prompt detection and management of preeclampsia are crucial to prevent complications like eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Choices B, C, and D do not address the potential seriousness of the situation and may delay the necessary assessment and intervention for preeclampsia.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is educating a pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation about safe physical activity. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse prioritize?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because engaging in moderate exercise like walking or swimming is recommended for pregnant patients at 32 weeks gestation. This type of activity helps maintain health without putting excessive strain on the body. Strenuous exercises (Choice A) may increase the risk of injury or complications during pregnancy. Avoiding all physical activity (Choice C) can lead to decreased muscle tone and potential complications. High-impact exercises (Choice D) can be too harsh on the joints and bones during pregnancy. Therefore, moderate exercise is the safest and most beneficial option for pregnant patients at this stage.
Question 3 of 5
During open glottis pushing, what is the laboring person instructed to do?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During open glottis pushing, the correct instruction is for the laboring person to push spontaneously while exhaling during contractions (Choice B). This technique helps prevent breath-holding, which can increase intra-abdominal pressure and reduce blood flow to the heart and baby. Exhaling while pushing allows for better oxygenation and reduces the risk of Valsalva maneuver-related complications. Holding their breath (Choice A) can increase the risk of fetal distress. Exhaling slowly without pushing (Choice C) is not effective in assisting with the pushing stage of labor. Deep breathing exercises between contractions (Choice D) are beneficial for relaxation but not the main focus during pushing.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is educating a birthing person about the benefits of skin-to-skin contact with their newborn immediately after birth. The nurse explains that this practice has numerous advantages. Which of the following benefits is NOT typically associated with skin-to-skin contact?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: accelerated uterine involution for the birthing person. Skin-to-skin contact does not directly impact the process of uterine involution. The benefits of skin-to-skin contact include improved bonding (A), enhanced thermoregulation (B), and decreased risk of neonatal infections (C). These benefits are well-documented and supported by research. In contrast, uterine involution is a physiological process that occurs naturally postpartum and is not influenced by skin-to-skin contact. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer in this scenario.
Question 5 of 5
During the third stage of labor, the nurse notes excessive bleeding. What should the nurse assess first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: During the third stage of labor, the correct answer is A: uterine tone. This is because assessing uterine tone is crucial in determining if the uterus is contracting effectively to control bleeding. If the uterus is not firm (boggy), it can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Placental separation (B) occurs during the third stage, but assessing uterine tone takes precedence. Vaginal bleeding (C) is a symptom of potential postpartum hemorrhage, which can be caused by poor uterine tone. Cervical dilation (D) is not a priority in this situation as the focus should be on controlling bleeding.