External Maternal Monitoring Related

Review External Maternal Monitoring related questions and content

A 40-week pregnant woman is admitted to the labor and delivery unit and is in active labor. Her cervix is 8 cm dilated, and she is experiencing strong contractions. What is the next priority action?

  • A. Administer an epidural block
  • B. Perform a vaginal examination to assess fetal descent
  • C. Assess the fetal heart rate
  • D. Prepare for delivery
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assess the fetal heart rate. This is the next priority action because monitoring the fetal heart rate is crucial to ensure the well-being of the baby during labor. It helps in identifying any signs of fetal distress and guides the healthcare provider in making timely interventions to prevent complications. Administering an epidural block (choice A) can be considered later once the fetal well-being is ensured. Performing a vaginal examination (choice B) may not be necessary at this moment as the woman is already in active labor and has progressed to 8 cm dilation. Preparing for delivery (choice D) should only be done after assessing the fetal well-being to ensure a safe delivery.