ATI RN
Maternity Heartbeat Monitor Questions
Question 1 of 5
A pregnant patient is 26 weeks gestation and reports difficulty breathing when lying flat. What should the nurse recommend?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Encourage the patient to sleep on the left side to improve circulation and reduce pressure on the diaphragm. At 26 weeks gestation, the uterus can compress the inferior vena cava when lying flat on the back, leading to decreased blood return to the heart and reduced cardiac output, causing difficulty breathing. Sleeping on the left side helps improve circulation by reducing pressure on the vena cava, enhancing blood flow and oxygenation to the fetus and mother. Incorrect options: B: Recommending sleeping in a fully reclined position may not alleviate the compression on the vena cava and could potentially worsen the patient's symptoms. C: Administering oxygen may help with oxygenation but does not address the underlying issue of vena cava compression due to the growing uterus. D: Instructing the patient to lie flat on her back can exacerbate the issue by further compressing the vena cava, worsening breathing difficulties.
Question 2 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 3 of 5
A pregnant patient is at 30 weeks gestation and reports severe heartburn after eating. What is the nurse's most appropriate intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because encouraging the patient to eat smaller meals and avoid lying down after eating helps prevent stomach acid from refluxing into the esophagus, reducing heartburn. This intervention addresses the root cause of the symptoms during pregnancy. Option A is incorrect as antacids can provide temporary relief but do not prevent heartburn. Option C is incorrect as spicy foods and protein intake do not directly impact heartburn. Option D is incorrect as proton pump inhibitors are not typically recommended during pregnancy due to potential risks to the fetus.
Question 4 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 5 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.