Ethical Issues in Maternal Newborn Nursing Related

Review Ethical Issues in Maternal Newborn Nursing related questions and content

With regard to an obstetric litigation case, a nurse working in labor and birth is found to be negligent. Which intervention performed by the nurse indicates that a breach of duty has occurred?

  • A. The nurse did not document fetal heart tones (FHR) during the second stage of labor.
  • B. The patient was only provided ice chips during the labor period, which lasted 8 hours.
  • C. The nurse allowed the patient to use the bathroom rather than a bedpan during the first stage of labor.
  • D. The nurse asked family members to leave the room when she prepared to do a pelvic exam on the patient.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In an obstetric setting, failure to document fetal heart tones (FHR) during the second stage of labor is a critical breach of duty by the nurse. Monitoring FHR is essential to assess fetal well-being and detect any signs of distress or complications during labor. Neglecting to document this important vital sign could result in delayed recognition of fetal distress, potentially leading to adverse outcomes for the baby and the mother. Therefore, this intervention indicates negligence on the part of the nurse in this scenario.