A pregnant woman presents with severe abdominal pain and syncope at 6 weeks gestation. On examination, she has signs of hypovolemic shock. Which of the following conditions is the most likely cause of these symptoms?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In a pregnant woman presenting with severe abdominal pain, syncope, signs of hypovolemic shock, and gestational age of 6 weeks, the most likely cause is an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, commonly in the fallopian tube. As the pregnancy grows and the tube stretches, it can lead to rupture, causing severe abdominal pain, internal bleeding, and signs of shock. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and management. It is important to consider ectopic pregnancy in any pregnant woman presenting with abdominal pain and signs of shock, especially in the first trimester.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Late decelerations on the fetal monitor tracing indicate a potential uteroplacental insufficiency, which could be caused by decreased oxygen supply to the fetus. One common cause of late decelerations is uterine hyperstimulation due to excessive use of oxytocin. By discontinuing the oxytocin infusion, the nurse can help alleviate the stress on the fetus and decrease the likelihood of further late decelerations. This action should be prioritized before other interventions such as changing the mother's position or administering oxygen. Immediate delivery may be necessary if the fetus continues to show signs of distress despite discontinuing the oxytocin infusion.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent eclampsia, but it can lead to toxicity if levels become too high. One common sign of magnesium toxicity is increased deep tendon reflexes, also known as hyperreflexia. This occurs because magnesium is a muscle relaxant, and elevated levels can lead to over-relaxation of muscles, causing an exaggerated reflex response. Other signs of magnesium toxicity include respiratory depression, decreased urine output, and cardiac arrest. Therefore, in a woman receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate during labor, an increase in deep tendon reflexes would indicate potential toxicity and require immediate intervention.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a woman in active labor diagnosed with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) due to uterine atony is to massage the uterus to promote contraction. Uterine massage helps to stimulate uterine muscle tone and contraction, which can help control bleeding by reducing the size of blood vessels and promoting hemostasis. It is important to address the uterine atony promptly to prevent further blood loss and stabilize the patient's condition. Other interventions such as blood transfusion, administering antibiotics, and elevating the mother's legs can be considered based on the patient's response to the initial intervention of uterine massage.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Pelvic floor dysfunction can contribute to a prolonged second stage of labor by impairing the ability of the woman to effectively push during contractions. This can result in inefficient pushing efforts and slow fetal descent. The nurse should assess for signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, such as difficulty controlling bowel movements or urine leakage, as addressing this issue may help improve the progress of labor. Maternal fatigue, fetal macrosomia (larger than average baby size), and uterine hyperstimulation are other factors that can impact labor but are less likely to specifically contribute to ineffective pushing efforts and slow fetal descent in the second stage of labor.