Chapter 21: Nursing Management of Labor and Birth at Risk
The nurse provides education to a postterm pregnant client. What information will the nurse include to assist in early identification of potential problems?
"Continue to monitor fetal movements daily."
The nursing student demonstrates an understanding of dystocia with which statement?
"Dystocia is diagnosed after labor has progressed for a time."
A pregnant woman gives birth to a term fetus who has died in utero. She requests time after the birth to hold her baby. What is the best response by the nurse?
"Hold your baby as long as you like. Please let me know what I can do to help you."
A woman has been in labor for the past 8 hours, and she has progressed to the second stage of labor. However, after 2 hours with no further descent, the provider diagnoses "arrest of labor." The woman asks, "Why is this happening?" Which response is the best answer to this question?
"More than likely you have cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) where baby's head cannot make it through the canal."
The experienced labor and birth nurse knows to evaluate progress in active labor by using which simple rule?
1 cm/hour for cervical dilation
The health care provider has determined that the source of dystocia for a woman is related to the fetus size. The nurse understands that macrosomia would indicate the fetus would weigh:
4,000 g to 4500 g
A woman is to undergo labor induction. The nurse determines that the woman requires cervical ripening if her Bishop score is:
5
The nurse is caring for a client in the transition stage of labor. In which scenario would the nurse predict the use of forceps may be used to assist with the birth?
Abnormal position of the fetal head
A woman is going to have labor induced with oxytocin. Which statement reflects the induction technique the nurse anticipates the primary care provider will prescribe?
Administer oxytocin diluted as a "piggyback" infusion.
A client's membranes have just ruptured. Her fetus is presenting breech. Which action should the nurse do immediately to rule out prolapse of the umbilical cord in this client?
Assess fetal heart sounds.
Which postoperative intervention should a nurse perform when caring for a client who has undergone a cesarean birth?
Assess uterine tone to determine fundal firmness.
A nurse is providing care to a couple who have experienced intrauterine fetal demise. Which action would be least effective in assisting a couple at this time?
Avoid any discussion of the situation with the couple.
Before calling the health care provider to report a slow progression or an arrest of labor, several assessments need to be made. What other maternal assessment does the nurse need to make prior to calling the health care provider?
Check for a full bladder.
A client's membranes rupture. The nurse observes the fetal heart rate drop from 156 to 110. The nurse inspects the client's perineum and sees a loop of umbilical cord. What is the nurse's priority concern in this situation?
Decreased fetal oxygenation
A laboring woman is receiving oxytocin IV to augment her labor and 2 hours later begins having contractions every 2 minutes lasting 60 to 90 seconds each with little, if any, rest time in between the contractions. At this time, which interventions would be the priority for the nurse caring for this client? Select all that apply.
Discontinue the oxytocin infusion. Administer an IV bolus of fluids. Apply oxygen to the woman via mask at 8 to 10 L/min.
The nurse assesses that a fetus is in an occiput posterior position. The nurse predicts the client will experience which situation related to this assessment?
Experience of additional back pain
The nurse is caring for a client suspected to have a uterine rupture. The nurse predicts the fetal monitor will exhibit which pattern if this is true?
Late decelerations
A woman presents at Labor and Delivery very upset. She reports that she has not felt her baby moving for the last 6 hours. The nurse listens for a fetal heart rate and cannot find a heartbeat. An ultrasound confirms fetal death and labor induction is started. What intervention by the nurse would be appropriate for this mother at this time?
Offer to take pictures and footprints of the infant once it is delivered.
The nurse writes the above notes upon client admission. Based on this assessment the nurse anticipates which plan of care?
Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth.
A client is admitted to the health care facility. The fetus has a gestational age of 42 weeks and is suspected to have cephalopelvic disproportion. Which should the nurse do next?
Prepare the client for a cesarean birth.
The nurse is admitting a client in labor. The nurse determines that the fetus is in a transverse lie by performing Leopold maneuvers. What intervention should the nurse provide for the client?
Prepare the client for a cesarean birth.
The nurse would prepare a client for amnioinfusion when which action occurs?
Severe variable decelerations occur and are due to cord compression.
The nurse is caring for a client in active labor. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize and report to the team?
Sudden shortness of breath
The nurse is assisting with a G2P1, 24-year-old client who has experienced an uneventful pregnancy and is now progressing well through labor. Which action should be prioritized after noting the fetal head has retracted into the vagina after emerging?
Use McRoberts maneuver.
A nurse is assessing a full-term client in labor and determines the fetus is occiput posterior. The client states that all her discomfort is in her lower back. What intervention can the nurse provide that will help alleviate this discomfort?
Use a fist to apply counterpressure to the lower back.
A G2P1 woman is in labor attempting a VBAC, when she suddenly complains of light-headedness and dizziness. An increase in pulse and decrease in blood pressure is noted as a change from the vital signs obtained 15 minutes prior. The nurse should investigate further for additional signs or symptoms of which complication?
Uterine rupture
A woman experiences an amniotic fluid embolism as the placenta is delivered. The nurse's first action would be to:
administer oxygen by mask.
A 16-year-old client has been in the active phase of labor for 14 hours. An ultrasound reveals that the likely cause of delay in dilation (dilatation) is cephalopelvic disproportion. Which intervention should the nurse most expect in this case?
cesarean birth
Which intervention would be most important when caring for the client with breech presentation confirmed by ultrasound?
continuing to monitor maternal and fetal status
A woman is admitted to the labor suite with contractions every 5 minutes lasting 1 minute. She is postterm and has oligohydramnios. What does this increase the risk of during birth?
cord compression
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute onset of dyspnea and hypotension. The health care provider suspects the client has amniotic fluid embolism. What other signs or symptoms would alert the nurse to the presence of this condition in the client? Select all that apply.
cyanosis pulmonary edema
A client in preterm labor is receiving magnesium sulfate IV and appears to be responding well. Which finding on assessment should the nurse prioritize?
depressed deep tendon reflexes
A nursing instructor is teaching students about fetal presentations during birth. The most common cause for increased incidence of shoulder dystocia is:
increasing birth weight.
A nursing student has learned that precipitous labor is when the uterus contracts so frequently and with such intensity that a very rapid birth will take place. This means the labor will be completed in which span of time?
less than 3 hours
A nursing instructor teaching about risk factors associated with preterm labor should discuss which demographic and lifestyle issues? Select all that apply.
low socioeconomic status smoking high level of stress alcohol use
A nursing student working with a client in preterm labor correctly identifies which medication as being used to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus and for seizure prophylaxis and treatment in clients with preeclampsia?
magnesium sulfate
The nurse is admitting a client at 23 weeks' gestation in preparation for induction and delivery after it was determined the fetus had died secondary to trauma. When asked by the client to explain what went wrong, the nurse can point out which potential cause for this loss?
placental abruption
When caring for a client requiring a forceps-assisted birth, the nurse would be alert for:
potential lacerations and bleeding.
A woman is experiencing dystocia that appears related to psyche problems. Which intervention would be most appropriate for the nurse to initiate?
providing a comfortable environment with dim lighting
After assessing a client's progress of labor, the nurse suspects the fetus is in a persistent occiput posterior position. Which finding would lead the nurse to suspect this condition?
reports of severe back pain
A nurse is assessing the following antenatal clients. Which client is at highest risk for having a multiple gestation?
the 41-year-old client who conceived by in vitro fertilization
A young woman experiencing contractions arrives at the emergency department. After examining her, the nurse learns that the client is at 33 weeks' gestation. What treatment can the nurse expect this client to be prescribed?
tocolytic therapy
A client with a pendulous abdomen and uterine fibroids (uterine myomas) has just begun labor and arrived at the hospital. After examining the client, the primary care provider informs the nurse that the fetus appears to be malpositioned in the uterus. Which fetal position or presentation should the nurse most expect in this woman?
transverse lie
A G3P2 woman at 39 weeks' gestation presents highly agitated, reporting something "came out" when her membranes just ruptured. Which action should the nurse prioritize after noting the umbilical cord is hanging out of the vagina?
Put the client in bed immediately, call for help, and lift the presenting part of the fetus off the cord.
A multigravida client at 31 weeks' gestation is admitted with confirmed preterm labor. As the nurse continues to monitor the client now receiving magnesium sulfate, which assessment findings will the nurse prioritize and report immediately to the RN or health care provider?
Respiratory depression, hypotension, absent tendon reflexes
A woman receives magnesium sulfate as treatment for preterm labor. The nurse assess and maintains the infusion at the prescribed rate based on which finding?
Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/minute
The nursing student correctly identifies which risk factors for developing dystocia? Select all that apply.
epidurals excessive analgesia multiple gestation maternal exhaustion high fetal station at complete cervical dilation shoulder dystocia
A client at 38 weeks' gestation has an ultrasound performed at a routine office visit and learns that her fetus has not moved out of a breech position. Which intervention does the nurse anticipate for this client?
external cephalic version
A woman in labor with a history of drug and alcohol addiction and no prenatal care has arrived in the emergency department in active labor with cervix 5 cm dilated. An ultrasound shows the fetus in a breech presentation. As a nurse prepares to care for this woman, which assessments indicate the fetus is in distress and needs immediate help to survive? Select all that apply.
variable deceleration FHR pattern noted on monitor fetal heart rate decreasing into the 80s
A nurse assesses a client in labor and suspects dysfunctional labor (hypotonic uterine dysfunction). The woman's membranes have ruptured and fetopelvic disproportion is ruled out. Which intervention would the nurse expect to include in the plan of care for this client?
administering oxytocin
Immediately after giving birth to a full-term infant, a client develops dyspnea and cyanosis. Her blood pressure decreases to 60/40 mm Hg, and she becomes unresponsive. What does the nurse suspect is happening with this client?
amniotic fluid embolism
After teaching a review class to a group of perinatal nurses about various methods for cervical ripening, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when the group identifies which method as surgical?
amniotomy
The nurse is monitoring the uterine contractions of a woman in labor. The nurse determines the woman is experiencing hypertonic uterine dysfunction based on which contraction finding?
erratic.
A fetus is experiencing shoulder dystocia during birth. The nurse would place priority on performing which fetal assessment postbirth?
brachial plexus assessment
