Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Test Bank Related

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A woman in active labor experiences irregular and ineffective uterine contractions, resulting in prolonged cervical dilation. What nursing intervention should be implemented to address this abnormal labor pattern?

  • A. Encourage the mother to ambulate and change positions frequently.
  • B. Administer intravenous opioids to enhance pain relief and relaxation.
  • C. Initiate continuous electronic fetal monitoring to assess fetal well-being.
  • D. Prepare for immediate cesarean section due to labor dystocia.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A woman experiencing irregular and ineffective uterine contractions with prolonged cervical dilation may indicate labor dystocia, also known as abnormal labor progression. To address this issue, the nursing intervention that should be implemented is to encourage the mother to ambulate and change positions frequently. This can help optimize fetal positioning and encourage descent through the birth canal by using gravity to aid in the progression of labor. Changing positions can also potentially improve the quality and effectiveness of contractions, leading to more successful cervical dilation and labor progress. Encouraging ambulation and position changes are non-invasive, patient-centered interventions that can be helpful in managing labor dystocia before considering more invasive interventions like cesarean section.