More questions on Preterm Labor
More questions on Preterm Labor ( 55 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a pregnant client at 36 weeks of gestation who reports low back pain and pelvic pressure.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Tocolytic medication is used to stop uterine contractions, not to relieve low back pain and pelvic pressure.
Resting in a side-lying position may help with blood circulation and reduce supine hypotensive syndrome, but it does not address the possible cause of low back pain and pelvic pressure.
Assess fetal heart rate using a Doppler device.
This is because low back pain and pelvic pressure at 36 weeks of gestation may indicate preterm labor, which can affect the fetal well-being. Therefore, the nurse should assess the fetal heart rate as a priority to determine if the fetus is in distress or not.
Some interventions for preventing and treating low back pain and pelvic pressure during pregnancy include exercise, water-based exercise, acupuncture, osteomanipulative therapy, craniosacral therapy, and pelvic support belts.
However, these interventions should be discussed with the health care provider before starting them.
Assessing vaginal discharge for any change may indicate infection, rupture of membranes, or cervical dilation, but it is not as urgent as assessing fetal heart rate.
Assess fetal heart rate using a Doppler device.
This is because low back pain and pelvic pressure at 36 weeks of gestation may indicate preterm labor, which can affect the fetal well-being. Therefore, the nurse should assess the fetal heart rate as a priority to determine if the fetus is in distress or not.
Choice A is wrong because tocolytic medication is used to stop uterine contractions, not to relieve low back pain and pelvic pressure. Choice B is wrong because resting in a side-lying position may help with blood circulation and reduce supine hypotensive syndrome, but it does not address the possible cause of low back pain and pelvic pressure. Choice D is wrong because assessing vaginal discharge for any change may indicate infection, rupture of membranes, or cervical dilation, but it is not as urgent as assessing fetal heart rate.
Some interventions for preventing and treating low back pain and pelvic pressure during pregnancy include exercise, water-based exercise, acupuncture, osteomanipulative therapy, craniosacral therapy, and pelvic support belts.
However, these interventions should be discussed with the health care provider before starting them.