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Which criteria should be verified prior to vacuum or forceps use? Select all that apply.

  • A. The woman’s bladder is empty.
  • B. The fetus must be at least 34 weeks gestation.
  • C. There is a Category I tracing.
  • D. The cervix must be completely dilated.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: The fetus must be at least 34 weeks gestation. This is important because before using vacuum or forceps, the fetus should be mature enough to withstand the extraction process. Premature infants may not have fully developed skull bones to withstand the pressure, increasing the risk of injury.

Explanation for other choices:
A: The woman’s bladder is empty - While it's ideal for the bladder to be empty to prevent injury during the procedure, it's not a criteria that must be verified prior to vacuum or forceps use.
C: There is a Category I tracing - Fetal heart rate monitoring is important during labor, but the tracing being Category I does not specifically correlate with the need for vacuum or forceps.
D: The cervix must be completely dilated - While full cervical dilation is necessary for vaginal delivery, it is not a specific criteria to verify before vacuum or forceps use.