Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Fetal monitoring
NCLEX: A 29-year-old client in labor and delivery is being evaluated for labor with external fetal monitoring. Assessmen…
Maternal-newborn nursing Health Promotion and Maintenance Reduction of Risk Potential
Case Study
A 29-year-old client in labor and delivery is being evaluated for labor with external fetal monitoring. Assessment data include late decelerations and minimal variability on fetal monitoring. Which assessment approach should the nurse use first?
Question
A. Begin invasive procedures before any focused assessment.
B. Use only the chart from admission without current data.
C. Screen for instability, then perform a focused assessment related to the presenting concern.
D. Defer assessment until all medications are administered.
B. Use only the chart from admission without current data.
C. Screen for instability, then perform a focused assessment related to the presenting concern.
D. Defer assessment until all medications are administered.
Rationale
Correct answer: C. Screen for instability, then perform a focused assessment related to the presenting concern.
Rationale: Assessment begins with stability screening and focused data collection before invasive or delayed actions.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Assessment begins with stability screening and focused data collection before invasive or delayed actions.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.