The nurse is performing Leopold's maneuvers on a pregnant patient at 36 weeks of gestation and determines the fetal lie is longitudinal, palpates the fetal legs in the top of the uterus, and palpates the fetal head above the symphysis pubis. Which fetal presentation does the nurse document in the EHR?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: breech. At 36 weeks of gestation, if the nurse palpates the fetal head above the symphysis pubis and the fetal legs are at the top of the uterus, it indicates a breech presentation where the baby's buttocks or feet are positioned to be delivered first. In a breech presentation, the fetal head is not engaged in the pelvis and is palpable above the symphysis pubis. The longitudinal lie with the fetal legs on top further supports the breech presentation.
Summary:
A: Cephalic presentation would have the fetal head engaged in the pelvis.
B: Compound presentation involves an additional body part alongside the presenting part.
C: Transverse lie would have the baby positioned horizontally across the uterus.
D: Breech presentation aligns with the given scenario of palpating fetal legs on top and head above the symphysis pubis.