Nursing interventions and Management
Nursing interventions and Management ( 6 Questions)
A nurse is performing a sterile speculum examination on a client with suspected PROM at 36 weeks of gestation.
The nurse observes a pool of clear fluid in the vagina.
What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take next?
A nitrazine test is a conventional test that uses pH testing of leaked amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is alkaline and turns the nitrazine paper blue, while vaginal secretions are acidic and turn the paper yellow or green.
performing a digital vaginal examination increases the risk of infection and is best avoided unless imminent delivery is anticipated. Digital pelvic examination can also cause further rupture of membranes and bleeding.
performing a fern test is not the most appropriate action. A fern test is another conventional test that uses microscopic examination of dried amniotic fluid to detect a fern-like pattern. However, this test can be affected by contamination with blood, semen, or cervical mucus.
performing an ultrasound is not the most appropriate action. An ultrasound can assess fetal position and amniotic fluid index, but it cannot confirm the presence of amniotic fluid leakage. An ultrasound can also be time-consuming and costly compared to a nitrazine test.
A nitrazine test is a conventional test that uses pH testing of leaked amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is alkaline and turns the nitrazine paper blue, while vaginal secretions are acidic and turn the paper yellow or green.