During an oxytocin induction, which assessment finding is most concerning to the labor and delivery nurse?
- A. A uterine resting tone of 17 mm Hg
- B. A uterine resting tone of 30 mm Hg
- C. Contractions that are every 3 minutes and last 60 seconds
- D. Contractions that are every 5 minutes and last 60 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B (A uterine resting tone of 30 mm Hg) because a high uterine resting tone indicates uterine hyperstimulation, which can lead to uterine rupture, fetal distress, and compromised blood flow to the placenta. A higher resting tone of 30 mm Hg is concerning compared to the normal range of 12-18 mm Hg.
Choice A (A uterine resting tone of 17 mm Hg) is within the normal range, so it is not as concerning as a higher resting tone.
Choices C (Contractions every 3 minutes lasting 60 seconds) and D (Contractions every 5 minutes lasting 60 seconds) describe the frequency and duration of contractions, which are important but are not as immediately concerning as a high uterine resting tone.
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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.
A gravida 3, para 2 is attempting a vaginal birth without the use of pain medicine or anesthesia. Following spontaneous rupture of membranes, the patient’s cervical exam was 5 cm dilated, 60% effaced, -2 station. Which therapeutic intervention is appropriate for this patient?
- A. Ambulation with assistance
- B. Squatting with support from partner
- C. Sitting on birthing ball
- D. Resting on hands and knees
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Sitting on birthing ball. This position helps to open up the pelvis, allowing for optimal fetal positioning and descent. It also helps relieve pressure on the cervix, promoting dilation. Ambulation (A) may slow down labor progress, squatting (B) can increase pressure on the cervix and hinder descent, and resting on hands and knees (D) may not be as conducive to gravity-assisted descent.
During an oxytocin induction, which assessment finding is most concerning to the labor and delivery nurse?
- A. A uterine resting tone of 17 mm Hg
- B. A uterine resting tone of 30 mm Hg
- C. Contractions that are every 3 minutes and last 60 seconds
- D. Contractions that are every 5 minutes and last 60 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because a uterine resting tone of 30 mm Hg indicates excessive uterine activity, which can lead to uterine hyperstimulation and fetal distress during an oxytocin induction. A higher resting tone suggests the uterus is not relaxing adequately between contractions, potentially compromising fetal oxygenation. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because a uterine resting tone of 17 mm Hg is within the normal range, contractions every 3 minutes lasting 60 seconds and every 5 minutes lasting 60 seconds are typical patterns during labor induction, and they do not necessarily indicate complications.
How long is the expected length of the third stage of labor?
- A. 60 minutes or less
- B. 30 minutes or less
- C. 1 hour for a multiparous person, 2 hours for a nulliparous person
- D. 3 hours for a multiparous person, 4 hours for a nulliparous person
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 1 hour for a multiparous person, 2 hours for a nulliparous person. This is based on the typical duration of the third stage of labor, which involves the delivery of the placenta. In general, the third stage is expected to last around 5-30 minutes. However, for safety reasons and to allow for variations in individual cases, it is recommended to extend the time frame to 1 hour for multiparous individuals (those who have given birth before) and 2 hours for nulliparous individuals (those giving birth for the first time). This extended time frame ensures that healthcare providers have enough time to monitor and intervene if necessary without rushing the delivery of the placenta.
Other choices are incorrect because they provide either too short (A and B) or too long (D) timeframes for the third stage of labor, which could lead to inadequate monitoring or unnecessary interventions.
Which criteria should be verified prior to vacuum or forceps use? Select all that apply.
- A. The woman’s bladder is empty.
- B. The fetus must be at least 34 weeks gestation.
- C. There is a Category I tracing.
- D. The cervix must be completely dilated.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The fetus must be at least 34 weeks gestation. This is important because before using vacuum or forceps, the fetus should be mature enough to withstand the extraction process. Premature infants may not have fully developed skull bones to withstand the pressure, increasing the risk of injury.
Explanation for other choices:
A: The woman’s bladder is empty - While it's ideal for the bladder to be empty to prevent injury during the procedure, it's not a criteria that must be verified prior to vacuum or forceps use.
C: There is a Category I tracing - Fetal heart rate monitoring is important during labor, but the tracing being Category I does not specifically correlate with the need for vacuum or forceps.
D: The cervix must be completely dilated - While full cervical dilation is necessary for vaginal delivery, it is not a specific criteria to verify before vacuum or forceps use.