To determine if the patient is in true labor, the nurse would assess for changes in
- A. cervical dilation.
- B. amount of bloody show.
- C. fetal position and station.
- D. pattern of uterine contractions.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. The pattern of uterine contractions is crucial in determining true labor as true contractions are regular, increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity.
2. Assessing cervical dilation alone may not confirm true labor as some women may have cervical changes without being in active labor.
3. Bloody show may occur in both true and false labor, making it an unreliable indicator.
4. Fetal position and station are important for labor progression but do not definitively confirm true labor.
Therefore, by assessing the pattern of uterine contractions, the nurse can accurately determine if the patient is in true labor.
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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. Nullipara refers to a woman giving birth for the first time, while multipara refers to a woman who has given birth multiple times. The primary difference between their labors is the total duration. Nulliparas typically have longer labors due to the body's first experience with childbirth. The other choices (B, C, D) are not the primary difference between nullipara and multipara labors. Pain experience, cervical dilation, and labor mechanisms can vary based on individual factors, but the key distinction lies in the overall duration of labor based on parity.
A woman’s pelvis is described as long and narrow with an anteroposterior diameter greater than the transverse diameter. This is known as which type of pelvis?
- A. Platypelloid
- B. Android
- C. Anthropoid
- D. Gynecoid
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Anthropoid. In an anthropoid pelvis, the anteroposterior diameter is greater than the transverse diameter, giving it a long and narrow shape. This type of pelvis resembles the pelvis seen in higher primates. The other choices are incorrect because:
A: Platypelloid pelvis has a transversely wide and short shape.
B: Android pelvis has a heart-shaped inlet with a prominent sacrum and narrow pubic arch.
D: Gynecoid pelvis has a round inlet and a wide pubic arch, typically seen in females and ideal for childbirth.
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a person who was evaluated for possible labor. How does the nurse explain how losing the mucus plug could be a sign of impending labor?
- A. The mucus plug starts to be expelled due to increased estrogen before contractions begin.
- B. The mucus plug is expelled after the membranes rupture during labor.
- C. Effacement and dilation of the cervix decrease the area where the mucus plug sits.
- D. Labor is unable to begin until the mucus plug is expelled and creates a space for the fetus.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Increased estrogen levels lead to softening of the cervix, causing the mucus plug to be expelled.
2. Contractions usually start after the mucus plug is expelled, not before.
3. The mucus plug is typically expelled before the membranes rupture.
4. Effacement and dilation of the cervix prepare the body for labor but are not directly related to the expulsion of the mucus plug.
In summary, Choice A is correct as increased estrogen leads to the expulsion of the mucus plug, indicating impending labor. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately explain the relationship between the mucus plug and impending labor.
What changes in hormones initiate labor?
- A. decreased progesterone, decreased estrogen, absence of oxytocin
- B. increased progesterone, decreased estrogen, absence of oxytocin
- C. increased progesterone, decreased estrogen, presence of oxytocin
- D. decreased progesterone, increased estrogen, effects of oxytocin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because decreased progesterone, increased estrogen, and the effects of oxytocin are the hormonal changes that initiate labor. Progesterone inhibits contractions, so its decrease allows labor to begin. Estrogen promotes uterine sensitivity to oxytocin, which stimulates contractions. Oxytocin is released in response to labor contractions and helps to strengthen contractions.
A: Incorrect because decreased progesterone is needed for labor to start, estrogen needs to increase, and oxytocin is present during labor.
B: Incorrect because increased progesterone inhibits labor, estrogen should increase, and oxytocin is present during labor.
C: Incorrect because progesterone should decrease, estrogen should increase, and oxytocin is present during labor.
Pregnant patients can usually tolerate the normal blood loss associated with childbirth because of which physiologic adaptation to pregnancy?
- A. A higher hematocrit
- B. Increased leukocytes
- C. Increased blood volume
- D. A lower fibrinogen level
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Increased blood volume. During pregnancy, blood volume increases by about 40-50% to support the growing fetus and prepare for potential blood loss during childbirth. This increased blood volume helps pregnant patients tolerate the normal blood loss during delivery. A higher hematocrit (choice A) could indicate dehydration, not increased blood volume. Increased leukocytes (choice B) are related to the immune response, not blood loss tolerance. A lower fibrinogen level (choice D) could lead to increased bleeding risk, not tolerance to blood loss.