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A patient who is 8 cm dilated develops circumoral numbness and dizziness. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
- A. Call the health care provider immediately.
- B. Increase intravenous fluid, as these are signs of hypovolemia.
- C. Have the patient slow down her breathing.
- D. Have her start pushing, as these are signs of the beginning of the second stage.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Have the patient slow down her breathing. Circumoral numbness and dizziness are signs of hyperventilation, which can occur due to rapid breathing during labor. Slowing down the patient's breathing helps prevent respiratory alkalosis and promotes proper oxygenation for both the mother and the baby. Calling the health care provider immediately (A) may cause a delay in addressing the immediate issue. Increasing IV fluids (B) may not address the root cause of the symptoms. Having her start pushing (D) prematurely can be harmful if she is not fully dilated.
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The primary difference between the labor of a nullipara and that of a multipara is
- A. total duration of labor.
- B. level of pain experience
- C. amount of cervical dilation.
- D. sequence of labor mechanisms.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: total duration of labor. This is because nulliparas (women who have never given birth before) generally have longer labors compared to multiparas (women who have given birth before). This is due to factors such as the first-time stretching of the birth canal and the body's learning process. The level of pain experience (B) can vary among individuals and is not a primary difference between nulliparas and multiparas. The amount of cervical dilation (C) can be influenced by various factors and is not a defining difference between the two groups. The sequence of labor mechanisms (D) is a universal process in labor and does not differ based on whether a woman is a nullipara or multipara.
What changes in hormones initiate labor?
- A. decreased progesterone, decreased estrogen, absence of oxytocin
- B. increased progesterone, decreased estrogen, absence of oxytocin
- C. increased progesterone, decreased estrogen, presence of oxytocin
- D. decreased progesterone, increased estrogen, effects of oxytocin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because decreased progesterone, increased estrogen, and the effects of oxytocin are the hormonal changes that initiate labor. Progesterone inhibits contractions, so its decrease allows labor to begin. Estrogen promotes uterine sensitivity to oxytocin, which stimulates contractions. Oxytocin is released in response to labor contractions and helps to strengthen contractions.
A: Incorrect because decreased progesterone is needed for labor to start, estrogen needs to increase, and oxytocin is present during labor.
B: Incorrect because increased progesterone inhibits labor, estrogen should increase, and oxytocin is present during labor.
C: Incorrect because progesterone should decrease, estrogen should increase, and oxytocin is present during labor.
Why is precipitous labor most often seen in multiparous women?
- A. The cervix weakens after each delivery.
- B. The cervix can dilate and efface simultaneously.
- C. The multigravida uterus is better able to coordinate muscle movements.
- D. It is more difficult for multiparous women to know when labor begins.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: In multiparous women, the uterus has gone through labor before, making muscle coordination more efficient.
Step 2: Efficient muscle coordination helps in effective contractions, leading to faster labor progress.
Step 3: Multiparous women have experienced labor before, allowing the uterus to contract more effectively.
Step 4: This efficiency in muscle coordination is why precipitous labor is more often seen in multiparous women.
Summary:
A: The weakening of the cervix after each delivery is not a direct cause of precipitous labor.
B: The ability of the cervix to dilate and efface simultaneously does not explain why precipitous labor is more common in multiparous women.
D: The difficulty in knowing when labor begins is not a reason for the occurrence of precipitous labor in multiparous women.
The nurse is directing an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to obtain maternal vital signs between contractions. Which statement is the appropriate rationale for assessing maternal vital signs between contractions raNtheRr thaIn aGt anBot.heCr inMterval? U S N T O
- A. Vital signs taken during contractions are inaccurat
- B. During a contraction, assessing fetal heart rate is the priority.
- C. Maternal blood flow to the heart is reduced during contractions.
- D. Maternal circulating blood volume increases temporarily during contractions.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. During contractions, maternal circulating blood volume increases temporarily due to the compression of blood vessels. Therefore, assessing vital signs between contractions provides a more accurate baseline measurement. Choice A is incorrect because vital signs taken during contractions may be affected by the pain and stress of labor. Choice B is incorrect as fetal heart rate assessment is a separate priority. Choice C is incorrect as maternal blood flow to the heart actually increases during contractions to ensure adequate oxygen supply.
A 28-year-old gravida 1, para 0 patient who is at term calls the labor and birth unit stating that she thinks she is in labor. She states that she does have some vaginal discharge and feels wet;
- A. She relates a contraction pattern that is irregular, ranging from 5 to 7 minutes and lasting 30 seconds. Which questions should the nurse pose to the patient during this telephone triage? (Select all that apply.)
- B. Does she think that her membranes have ruptured?
- C. Is there any evidence of bloody show?
- D. Instruct the patient to keep monitoring her contraction pattern and call you back if they become more regular.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the patient's irregular contraction pattern and varying duration indicate early labor. By asking the patient about the contraction pattern, the nurse can assess the progression of labor and provide appropriate guidance. Choice B is incorrect because if the patient's membranes have ruptured, she would most likely feel a gush of fluid rather than just feeling wet. Choice C is incorrect as bloody show is not typically a reliable indicator of early labor. Choice D is incorrect as it does not address the need to assess the contraction pattern for progression of labor.