Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 86%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A client who is in labor.The nurse observes late decelerations of the fetal heart rate on the external fetal monitor. After placing the client in a side-lying position, which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Administer oxygen via a face mask. Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, causing fetal hypoxia. Administering oxygen improves oxygenation to the fetus by increasing maternal oxygen levels. Placing the client in a side-lying position helps improve uteroplacental perfusion. Decreasing IV fluids may further compromise perfusion. Fetal scalp stimulation is used for non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns, not specifically for late decelerations. Elevating the client's head does not directly address the fetal distress.