Answer :
Final answer:
The correct option is C. Notify the attending midwife or physician In the case of a 235-lb laboring woman with HIV who has a difficult FHR tracing, the appropriate nursing action is to notify the attending midwife or physician.
Explanation:
When caring for a 235-lb laboring woman who is HIV-seropositive and the external Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) tracing is difficult to obtain, an appropriate nursing action would be to C. Notify the attending midwife or physician. This is essential because they can assess the situation and determine the best course of action. Applying a fetal scalp electrode may be considered if it is deemed safe and necessary by the physician or midwife. If the heart rate cannot be adequately monitored, steps might need to be taken to expedite delivery to ensure the safety of both the mother and the fetus which may include vacuum, forceps, or Caesarian section if necessary.
Monitoring the heart rate is critical due to the potential risks during labor, especially for an infant whose mother is HIV-seropositive. It is important for healthcare providers to recognize when emergency intervention is necessary, as a compromised heart rate can result from severe contractions, indicating that the fetus is not receiving sufficient oxygen (cardiac ischemia). In such situations, the health and safety of both the mother and child are the utmost priority.An appropriate nursing action for difficulty in obtaining the external fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing in a laboring woman who is HIV-seropositive would be to apply a fetal scalp electrode. A fetal scalp electrode is a device that is inserted into the baby's scalp to directly measure the FHR. This method can provide a more accurate and continuous monitoring of the baby's heart rate when the external tracing is difficult to obtain.
