ATI Maternal Newborn Related

Review ATI Maternal Newborn related questions and content

During Leopold maneuvers on a client in labor, which technique should be used by the nurse to identify the fetal lie?

  • A. Apply palms of both hands to sides of the uterus
  • B. Palpate the fundus of the uterus
  • C. Grasp the lower uterine segment between thumb and fingers
  • D. Stand facing the client's feet with fingertips outlining cephalic prominence
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is option B: Palpate the fundus of the uterus. This technique helps the nurse identify the fetal lie by feeling for the position of the baby's head or buttocks at the top of the uterus. By palpating the fundus, the nurse can determine whether the baby is in a vertex (head down) or breech (head up) position. This method is effective in assessing the fetal lie as it provides direct information about the baby's orientation within the uterus.

Option A is incorrect because applying palms to the sides of the uterus does not specifically help identify the fetal lie. Option C is incorrect as grasping the lower uterine segment does not provide information on the fetal lie. Option D is incorrect because standing facing the client's feet with fingertips outlining cephalic prominence is not a technique used to determine fetal lie.