A nurse is performing an assessment of a client who is scheduled for a cesarean delivery. Which assessment finding would indicate a need to contact the physician?
Fetal heart rate of 180 beats per minute
White blood cell count of 12,000
Maternal pulse rate of 85 beats per minute
Hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL
Question 46 Explanation:
A normal fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute. A count of 180 beats per minute could indicate fetal distress and would warrant physician notification. By full term, a normal maternal hemoglobin range is 11-13 g/dL as a result of the hemodilution caused by an increase in plasma volume during pregnancy.