chap 21 and 14
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 Explanation: When the fetus is being deprived of oxygen the fetus will demonstrate late decelerations on the fetal monitoring strip. This is an indication the mother is in need of further assessment. Early decelerations are a normal finding. Variable decelerations usually coincide with 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 Explanation: Sudden shortness of breath can be a sign of amniotic fluid embolism and requires emergent intervention. This can occur suddenly during labor or immediately after. The woman usually develops symptoms of acute respiratory distress, cyanosis, and hypotension. It must be reported to the care team so proper interventions may be taken. Other symptoms can include hypotension, cyanosis, hypoxemia, uterine atony, seizures, tachycardia, coagulation failure, DIC, and pulmonary edema.
Hypertonic labor is labor that is characterized by short, irregular contractions without complete relaxation of the uterine wall in between contractions. Hypertonic labor can be caused by an increased sensitivity to oxytocin. What would the nurse do for a client who is in hypertonic labor because of oxytocin augmentation?
Turn off the oxytocin. Explanation: Hypertonic labor may result from an increased sensitivity of uterine muscle to oxytocin induction or augmentation. Treatment for this iatrogenic cause of hypertonic labor is to decrease or shut off the oxytocin infusion
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 Explanation: If the cause of the delay in dilation (dilatation) is fetal malposition or cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), cesarean birth may be necessary. Oxytocin would be administered to augment labor only if CPD were ruled out. Administration of morphine sulfate (an analgesic) and darkening room lights and decreasing noise and stimulation are used in the management of a prolonged latent phase caused by hypertonic contractions. These measures would not help in the case of CPD.
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 Explanation: Comfort measures minimize the woman's stress and promote relaxation so that she can work more effectively with the forces of labor. This action is consistent with assisting a woman experiencing problems with the psyche. Oxytocin would be appropriate for the woman experiencing hypotonic uterine dysfunction (problem with the powers). An amniotomy may be used with hypertonic uterine dysfunction to augment labor. Frequent position changes would be appropriate for a woman with persistent occiput posterior position (problem with the passenger).
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 Explanation: Comfort measures minimize the woman's stress and promote relaxation so that she can work more effectively with the forces of labor. This action is consistent with assisting a woman experiencing problems with the psyche. Oxytocin would be appropriate for the woman experiencing hypotonic uterine dysfunction (problem with the powers). An amniotomy may be used with hypertonic uterine dysfunction to augment labor. Frequent position changes would be appropriate for a woman with persistent occiput posterior position (problem with the passenger). Reference:
overdistended uterus Explanation: Overdistended uterus is a contraindication for oxytocin administration. Postterm status, dysfunctional labor (hypotonic uterine dysfunction) pattern, and prolonged ruptured membranes are indications for administration of oxytocin.
overdistended uterus Explanation: Overdistended uterus is a contraindication for oxytocin administration. Postterm status, dysfunctional labor (hypotonic uterine dysfunction) pattern, and prolonged ruptured membranes are indications for administration of oxytocin.
A client presents to the emergency department reporting regular uterine contractions. Examination reveals that her cervix is beginning to efface. The client is in her 36th week of gestation. The nurse interprets the findings as suggesting which condition is occurring?
preterm labor Explanation: Preterm labor is the occurrence of regular uterine contractions accompanied by cervical effacement and dilation (dilatation) before the end of the 37th week of gestation. If not halted, it leads to preterm birth. Normal labor can occur after the 37th week. Dystocia refers to a difficult labor. Precipitate labor is one that is completed in less than 3 hours from the start of contraction to birth.
A maternity nurse is aware that the fetal head is the presenting part in complete extension position. Which type of birth should the maternity nurse anticipate?
prolonged labor and possible cesarean birth Explanation: The attitude of the fetal head is moderate flexion. If there are changes in the fetal attitude (the head), the presenting part is then a larger diameter to the maternal pelvis. This presentation could cause a long labor and possible cesarean birth.
A nurse preceptor asks a student to list commonly used diagnostic tests for preterm labor risk assessment. Which tests should the student include? Select all that apply.
CBC U/A amniotic fluid analysis Explanation: Commonly used diagnostic testing for preterm labor risk assessment includes a complete blood count, urinalysis, and an amniotic fluid analysis.
A woman in labor is having very intense contractions with a resting uterine tone >20 mm Hg. The woman is screaming out every time she has a contraction. What is the highest priority fetal assessment the health care provider should focus on at this time?
Look for late decelerations on monitor, which is associated with fetal anoxia. Explanation: A danger of hypertonic contractions is that the lack of relaxation between contractions may not allow optimal uterine artery filling; this can lead to fetal anoxia early in the latent phase of labor. Applying a uterine and a fetal external monitor will help identify that the resting phase between contractions is adequate and that the FHR is not showing late deceleration.
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. Explanation: If a transverse lie persists, the fetus cannot be born vaginally. Thus, the nurse will prepare the client for a caesarean birth. There is no indication the client will have precipitous labor. Amniotomy, artificial rupture of the membranes, is not indicated when preparing from a caesarean birth. The nurse would not administer analgesic before surgery unless prescribed by the health care provider.
If the monitor pattern of uteroplacental insufficiency were present, which action would the nurse do first?
Turn her or ask her to turn to her side. Explanation: The most common cause of uteroplacental insufficiency is compression of the vena cava; turning the woman to her side removes the compression.
Which intervention would be most important when caring for the client with breech presentation confirmed by ultrasound?
continuing to monitor maternal and fetal status Explanation: Once a breech presentation is confirmed by ultrasound, the nurse should continue to monitor the maternal and fetal status when the team makes decisions about the method of birth. The nurse usually plays an important role in communicating information during this time. Applying suprapubic pressure against the fetal back is the nursing intervention for shoulder dystocia and may not be required for breech presentation. Noting the space or dip at the maternal umbilicus and auscultating the fetal heart rate at the umbilicus level are assessments related to occipitoposterior positioning of the fetus.
A client in active labor is given spinal anesthesia. Which information would the nurse include when discussing with the client and family about the disadvantages of spinal anesthesia?
headache following anesthesia Explanation: The nurse should inform the client and her family about the possibility of headache after spinal anesthesia. The drug is retained in the mother's body and not passed to the fetus. There may be uterine atony, and not excessive uterine contractions, following spinal anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia may lead to bladder atony, and not an increased frequency of micturition.
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 Explanation: The most common cause of fetal death after a trauma is placental abruption (abruptio placentae), where the placenta separates from the uterus, and the fetus is not able to survive. Genetic abnormalities typically cause spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) in the first trimester. Trauma does not cause preeclampsia (which is related to various issues in the mother) nor does trauma usually cause PROM.
The experienced labor and birth nurse knows to evaluate progress in active labor by using which simple rule?
1 cm/hour for cervical dilation Explanation: In evaluating the progress in active labor, the nurse uses the simple rule of 1 cm/hour for cervical dilation.
A client is scheduled for a cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. After instruction is given by the anesthesiologist, the nurse determines the client has understood the instructions when the client states:
"I may end up with a severe headache from the spinal anesthesia." Explanation: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage from the needle insertion site and irritation caused by a small amount of air that enters at the injection site and shifts the pressure of the CSF causes strain on the cerebral meninges, initiating pain from a postdural puncture (spinal) headache.
Why is it important for the nurse to thoroughly assess maternal bladder and bowel status during labor?
A full bladder or rectum can impede fetal descent. Explanation: Throughout labor the nurse needs to assess the woman's fluid balance status as well as check skin turgor and mucous membranes. In addition she needs to monitor the bladder and bowel status. A full bladder or rectum can impede fetal descent.
The perinatal educator is instructing on various emotions commonly experienced during labor. Which complication of anxiety is most important to stress?
Dystocia Explanation: Many women experience an array of emotions during labor, which may include fear, anxiety, helplessness, desire to be alone, and weariness. These emotions can lead to psychological stress, which indirectly can cause dystocia. Dystocia is a prolonged labor as the tense woman is fighting against the labor process. Shortness of breath may occur with a panic attack. Gestational hypertension occurs during pregnancy. Fetal tachycardia is not commonly associated with maternal anxiety.
A 26-year-old primigravida has brought her doula to the birthing center for support during her labor and birth. The doula has been helping her through the past 16 hours of labor. The laboring woman is now 6 cm dilated. She continues to report severe pain in her back with each contraction. The client finds it comforting when her doula uses the ball of her hand to put counterpressure on her lower back. What is the likely cause of the woman's back pain?
Occiput posterior position Explanation: A labor complicated by occiput posterior position is usually prolonged and characterized by maternal perception of increased intensity of back discomfort. The lay term for this type of labor is "back labor."
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. Explanation: The nurse must put the woman in a bed immediately, while calling for help, and holding the presenting part of the fetus off the cord to ensure its safety. Umbilical cord prolapse occurs when the umbilical cord slips down in front of the presenting part, which can result in the presenting part compressing the cord, cutting off oxygen and nutrients to the baby, and the baby is at risk of death. This is an emergency. When a prolapsed cord is evident the nurse does not put the woman in lithotomy position, and cannot attempt to reinsert the cord. A vaginal birth is contraindicated in this situation.
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 Explanation: The client with any prior history of uterus surgery is at increased risk for a uterine rupture. A falling blood pressure and increasing pulse is a sign of hemorrhage, and in this client a uterine rupture needs to be a first consideration. The scenario does not indicate a hypertonic uterus, a placenta previa, or umbilical cord compression.
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 Explanation: With amniotic fluid embolism, symptoms may occur suddenly during or immediately after labor. The woman usually develops symptoms of acute respiratory distress, cyanosis, and hypotension
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 Explanation: With amniotic fluid embolism, symptoms may occur suddenly during or immediately after labor. The woman usually develops symptoms of acute respiratory distress, cyanosis, and hypotensio
A fetus is experiencing shoulder dystocia during birth. The nurse would place priority on performing which fetal assessment postbirth?
brachial plexus assessment Explanation: The nurse should identify nerve damage as a risk to the fetus in cases of shoulder dystocia. Other fetal risks include asphyxia, clavicle fracture, central nervous system injury or dysfunction, and death. Extensive lacerations is a poor maternal outcome due to the occurrence of shoulder dystocia, which should be assessed and treated. Cleft palate and cardiac anomalies are not related to shoulder dystocia.
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 Explanation: If the cause of the delay in dilation (dilatation) is fetal malposition or cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), cesarean birth may be necessary. Oxytocin would be administered to augment labor only if CPD were ruled out. Administration of morphine sulfate (an analgesic) and darkening room lights and decreasing noise and stimulation are used in the management of a prolonged latent phase caused by hypertonic contractions. These measures would not help in the case of CPD. Reference:
A client at 35 weeks' gestation is now in stable condition after being admitted for vaginal bleeding. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize?
fetal heart tones Explanation: When a client is admitted for vaginal bleeding and is stable, the next priority assessment is to determine if the fetus is viable. The other options are not a higher priority than fetal heart tones
At 31 weeks' gestation, a 37-year-old woman with a history of preterm birth reports cramps, vaginal pain, and low, dull backache accompanied by vaginal discharge and bleeding. Assessment reveals cervix 2.1 cm long; fetal fibronectin in cervical secretions, and cervix dilated 3 to 4 cm. Which interactions should the nurse prepare to assist with?
hospitalization, tocolytic, and corticosteroids Explanation: At 31 weeks' gestation, the goal would be to maintain the pregnancy as long as possible if the mother and fetus are tolerating the continuation of the pregnancy. Stopping the contractions and placing the client in the hospital allows for monitoring in a safe place if the woman continues and gives birth. Administration of corticosteroids may help to develop the lungs and prepare for early preterm birth. Sending the woman home is contraindicated in the scenario described. An emergency cesarean birth is not indicated at this time. Monitoring fetal movement (kick) counts is typically done with a postterm pregnancy.
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. Explanation: Shoulder dystocia is the obstruction of fetal descent and birth by the axis of the fetal shoulders after the fetal head has emerged. The incidence of shoulder dystocia is increasing because of increasing birth weights, with reports of it in as many as 2% of vaginal births.
A woman in labor for over 12 hours has made very little progress. The health care provider thinks that her contractions lack the force needed to propel the infant downward through the birth canal. The provider asks a group of nursing students which hormone may need to be given to increase the force of the contraction. Which hormone would be the best answer?
oxytocin, a posterior pituitary hormone Explanation: Uterine contractions are the basic force that moves the fetus through the birth canal. They occur because of the interplay of a contractile and the influence of major electrolytes such as calcium, sodium, and potassium, specific contractile proteins (actin and myosin), and several hormones including oxytocin (a posterior pituitary hormone), estrogen, progesterone, and prostaglandins. The other hormones listed do not help with the force of uterine contractions.
When caring for a client requiring a forceps-assisted birth, the nurse would be alert for: You Selected:
potential lacerations and bleeding. Explanation: Forcible rotation of the forceps can cause potential lacerations and bleeding. Cervical ripening increases the risk for uterine rupture in a client attempting vaginal birth after undergoing at least one previous cesarean birth. There is an increased risk for cord entanglement in multiple pregnancies. Damage to the maternal tissues happens if the cup slips off the fetal head and the suction is not released.
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 Explanation: Reports of severe back pain are associated with a persistent occiput posterior position due to the pressure of the fetal head on the woman's sacrum and coccyx. Cervical dilation (dilatation) that has not progressed past 2 cm is associated with dysfunctional labor. A breech position is one in which the fetal presenting part is the buttocks or feet. Contractions that are more forceful in the midsection of the uterus rather than in the fundus suggest hypertonic uterine dysfunction.
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 Explanation: A transverse lie, in which the fetus is more horizontal than vertical, occurs in the following instances: women with pendulous abdomens; uterine fibroids (uterine myomas) that obstruct the lower uterine segment; contraction of the pelvic brim; congenital abnormalities of the uterus; or hydramnios. Anterior fetal position and cephalic presentation are normal conditions. Occipitoposterior position tends to occur in women with android, anthropoid, or contracted pelvis.
