Question

A woman who had two previous cesarean births is in active labor when she suddenly complains of pain between her scapulae. The nurse's priority action is to

a. Reposition the woman with her hips slightly elevated.
b. Observe for abnormally high uterine resting tone.
c. Decrease the rate of nonadditive intravenous fluid.
d. Notify the physician promptly and prepare the woman for surgery.

Answer 1

The nurse's priority action is to notify the physician and prepare the woman for surgery. This could be a sign of a serious complication known as uterine rupture, which requires immediate medical intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's priority action in this situation would be to d. Notify the physician promptly and prepare the woman for surgery.

The woman who had two previous cesarean births suddenly complaining of pain between her scapulae could be experiencing a serious complication known as a uterine rupture. This occurs when the uterus tears open along the previous cesarean scar, which can lead to severe bleeding and jeopardize the life of both the mother and the baby. Immediate medical intervention, including surgery, is necessary to address this potentially life-threatening condition.

Repositioning the woman, observing uterine resting tone, or decreasing intravenous fluid would not address the underlying issue and could delay appropriate medical care.