Nokea
A gravida 2, para 1 is in active labor at 39 weeks gestation. Her cervical exam is 6 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and 0 station. An amniotomy is performed by the physician. The fluid is noted to be bloody and the fetal heart tones have decelerated to the 50s. What is the nurse’s next best action?
- A. Notify the operating team of emergent cesarean delivery
- B. Assist the patient to left lateral position
- C. Apply O2 at 10-12 L/min per nonrebreather
- D. Administer an IV fluid bolus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Notify the operating team of emergent cesarean delivery. Given the scenario of a gravida 2, para 1 in active labor with bloody fluid and fetal heart decelerations to the 50s following amniotomy, these signs indicate fetal distress. In this critical situation, immediate intervention with emergent cesarean delivery is necessary to prevent adverse outcomes for the baby. This step takes priority over other actions, as it ensures timely delivery and assessment of the fetus's well-being. Choices B, C, and D are not appropriate in this emergent situation as they do not directly address the fetal distress and the need for expedited delivery.
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A 40-year-old G2, P1 woman is admitted to the labor and delivery unit with contractions 6 minutes apart. She is 36 weeks pregnant, has a history of placenta previa, and is currently experiencing moderate vaginal bleeding. What should the nurse be prepared to do?
- A. Perform a vaginal examination to determine cervical dilation
- B. Assist the health care provider to perform artificial rupture of the membranes
- C. Initiate external fetal monitoring
- D. Encourage patient to ambulate to intensify labor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Initiate external fetal monitoring. In this scenario, the patient is at 36 weeks of gestation with a history of placenta previa and moderate vaginal bleeding, indicating a high-risk situation. External fetal monitoring allows for continuous assessment of the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions, which is crucial for identifying signs of fetal distress or complications related to placenta previa. This monitoring can help guide timely interventions and decision-making to ensure the safety of the mother and baby. Performing a vaginal examination (A) may increase the risk of bleeding in cases of placenta previa. Artificial rupture of membranes (B) can also lead to increased bleeding and should be avoided in this situation. Encouraging ambulation (D) is not recommended due to the risk of exacerbating bleeding and potential complications.
Which mechanism of labor occurs when the largest diameter of the fetal presenting part passes the pelvic inlet?
- A. Extension
- B. Engagement
- C. Internal rotation
- D. External rotation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Engagement. Engagement occurs when the largest diameter of the fetal presenting part passes through the pelvic inlet, indicating the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis. This is a crucial step in labor progress as it signifies the baby's readiness for birth.
A: Extension occurs during the second stage of labor when the baby's head passes through the birth canal.
C: Internal rotation is the movement of the baby's head within the pelvis to align with the maternal pelvis.
D: External rotation happens after the baby's head is delivered to allow for the shoulders to rotate for birth.
In summary, engagement is the correct answer as it specifically refers to the largest diameter of the fetal presenting part passing the pelvic inlet, setting the stage for the progression of labor.
If a notation on the patient’s health record states that the fetal position is LSP, this indicates that the
- A. head is in the right posterior quadrant of the pelvis.
- B. head is in the left anterior quadrant of the pelvis.
- C. buttocks are in the left posterior quadrant of the pelvis.
- D. buttocks are in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because LSP stands for Left Sacrum Posterior, indicating the baby's buttocks are in the left posterior quadrant of the pelvis. In this position, the baby's head will typically be in the right anterior quadrant of the pelvis. Choice A is incorrect as it describes the head in the right posterior quadrant. Choice B is incorrect as it describes the head in the left anterior quadrant. Choice D is incorrect as it describes the buttocks in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, which is not related to the fetal position LSP.
During the third stage of labor, what may the birthing person experience?
- A. expulsion of their fetus with vaginal bleeding
- B. cramping, gush of fresh vaginal bleeding, lengthening of the umbilical cord
- C. frequent episodes of dyspnea
- D. increased blood pressure and pain due to expulsive efforts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During the third stage of labor, the correct answer is B because it describes the typical experiences of the birthing person during this stage. Cramping signifies uterine contractions, a gush of fresh vaginal bleeding indicates the delivery of the placenta, and lengthening of the umbilical cord indicates separation from the placenta. The other options are incorrect as they do not align with the physiological processes of the third stage of labor. A is incorrect as the fetus is delivered in the second stage, not the third. C is incorrect as dyspnea (difficulty breathing) is not a common symptom during the third stage. D is incorrect as increased blood pressure and pain are not typical experiences during this stage.
A laboring patient states to the nurse, "I have to push!” What is the next nursing action?
- A. Contact the health care provider.
- B. Examine the patient’s cervix for dilation.
- C. Review with her how to bear down with contractions.
- D. Ask her partner to support her head with each push.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Examining the patient's cervix for dilation is the next nursing action because it will help determine the progress of labor and assess if it is safe for the patient to push. Contacting the health care provider (choice A) may delay necessary interventions. Reviewing how to bear down (choice C) is important but assessing cervical dilation takes precedence. Asking the partner to support her head (choice D) is not a priority in this situation.