Question

The nurse is monitoring a client who is 6 cm dilated with recurrent variable decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. The health care provider (HCP) places an intrauterine pressure catheter and prescribes an amnioinfusion. After the amnioinfusion bolus is complete, which assessment finding should the nurse report to the HCP immediately?

Answer 1

Following an amnioinfusion, a nurse should immediately report signs of fetal distress, maternal infection, uterine hypertonicity, or signs of uterine rupture to the healthcare provider.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking about the appropriate nursing response after an amnioinfusion in a patient who is 6 cm dilated and presents with recurrent variable decelerations. An amnioinfusion is a procedure where normal saline or lactated Ringer's solution is introduced into the amniotic cavity to alleviate umbilical cord compression, which is a common cause of variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate. Such decelerations could compromise the baby's oxygen supply. Once the amnioinfusion bolus is complete, the nurse should report any findings that might suggest complications, such as alterations in the fetal heart rate pattern indicating continued distress, evidence of maternal infection such as the presence of a fever, uterine hypertonicity or overstimulation (leading to excessively frequent or long-lasting contractions), or signs of uterine rupture such as severe abdominal pain or a sudden drop in the baseline uterine tone. If these symptoms are present, it is crucial that the nurse communicates them to the health care provider immediately.