The nurse who elects to practice in the area of obstetrics often hears discussion regarding the four Ps. What are the four Ps that interact during childbirth? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Powers
- B. Passage
- C. Position
- D. Passenger
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Powers. In obstetrics, the four Ps that interact during childbirth are Powers (contractions), Passage (birth canal), Passenger (fetus), and Psyche (mother's psychological state). Powers refer to the force generated by contractions to push the baby through the birth canal. Passage is the route the baby takes during birth. Passenger is the baby itself. Position is not one of the four Ps in childbirth. It is crucial for nurses in obstetrics to understand how these four Ps work together to facilitate a safe and successful delivery.
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An infant was born 1 minute ago and the Apgar score is being assigned. The infant has blue extremities, minimal flexion, a weak cry, a heart rate of 110 beats per minute, and coughs and pulls away when suctioned. How many points should be assigned? Record your answer using a whole number:
- A. 3
- B. 2
- C. 1
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 3 points. Apgar scoring assesses the newborn's overall condition at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. In this case, the infant's Apgar score should be 3 because the baby displays signs of mild distress with blue extremities, weak cry, and minimal flexion. The heart rate of 110 BPM and response to suctioning indicate some normal function. Each category (color, heart rate, reflex irritability, muscle tone, and respiratory effort) can score up to 2 points, totaling 10 points. Blue extremities and weak cry correspond to 1 point each, while minimal flexion corresponds to 0 points. The heart rate (110 BPM) and response to suctioning indicate 2 points each, totaling 3 points. Therefore, the correct score is 3 points. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the severity of the infant's condition based on the Apgar
If a notation on the patient’s health record states that the fetal position is LSP, this indicates that the
- A. head is in the right posterior quadrant of the pelvis.
- B. head is in the left anterior quadrant of the pelvis.
- C. buttocks are in the left posterior quadrant of the pelvis.
- D. buttocks are in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because LSP stands for Left Sacrum Posterior, meaning the baby's back is on the left side of the mother's spine and facing towards her back. This position is common during the early stages of labor. Choice A is incorrect as it describes a different position, choice B is incorrect as it refers to a different quadrant, and choice D is incorrect as it describes a location in the abdomen, not the pelvis.
A patient whose cervix is dilated to 6 cm is considered to be in which phase of labor?
- A. Latent phase
- B. Active phase
- C. Second stage
- D. Third stage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Active phase. In the active phase of labor, the cervix is typically dilated from 6 to 10 cm. This phase marks the transition from early labor to active labor, where contractions become stronger and more frequent, leading to further cervical dilation for the eventual delivery of the baby. The other choices are incorrect because:
A: Latent phase is typically from 0 to 6 cm dilation.
C: Second stage refers to the stage of labor starting from full dilation (10 cm) until the baby is born.
D: Third stage is the stage after the baby is born, focusing on the delivery of the placenta.
A 40-year-old G2, P1 woman is admitted to the labor and delivery unit with contractions 6 minutes apart. She is 36 weeks pregnant, has a history of placenta previa, and is currently experiencing moderate vaginal bleeding. What should the nurse be prepared to do?
- A. Perform a vaginal examination to determine cervical dilation
- B. Assist the health care provider to perform artificial rupture of the membranes
- C. Initiate external fetal monitoring
- D. Encourage patient to ambulate to intensify labor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Initiate external fetal monitoring. In this scenario, the patient is at 36 weeks of gestation with a history of placenta previa and moderate vaginal bleeding, indicating a high-risk situation. External fetal monitoring allows for continuous assessment of the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions, which is crucial for identifying signs of fetal distress or complications related to placenta previa. This monitoring can help guide timely interventions and decision-making to ensure the safety of the mother and baby. Performing a vaginal examination (A) may increase the risk of bleeding in cases of placenta previa. Artificial rupture of membranes (B) can also lead to increased bleeding and should be avoided in this situation. Encouraging ambulation (D) is not recommended due to the risk of exacerbating bleeding and potential complications.
A laboring patient states to the nurse, "I have to push!” What is the next nursing action?
- A. Contact the health care provider.
- B. Examine the patient’s cervix for dilation.
- C. Review with her how to bear down with contractions.
- D. Ask her partner to support her head with each push.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Examining the patient's cervix for dilation is the next nursing action because it will help determine the progress of labor and assess if it is safe for the patient to push. Contacting the health care provider (choice A) may delay necessary interventions. Reviewing how to bear down (choice C) is important but assessing cervical dilation takes precedence. Asking the partner to support her head (choice D) is not a priority in this situation.