CH 36 Obstetric and Gynecologic Emergencies Flashcards
H-1) The lowest portion of the uterus, which must dilate to allow childbirth, is called the: A. uterine body. B. myometrium. C. cervix. D. fundus.
C. cervix.
The cervix is the lowest and narrowest portion of the uterus, the neck of the uterus at the entrance to the birth canal. The cervix must thin and dilate to allow the fetus to pass from the uterus into the vagina.
H-2) Under normal circumstances, the fertilized egg is implanted into and develops in the: A. cervix. B. placenta. C. fallopian tube. D. uterus.
D. uterus.
The uterus is the structure in which a fertilized egg is implanted and develops into an embryo, and then a fetus, during pregnancy.
H-3) During labor, the cervix typically: A. relaxes and expands. B. rotates and dilates. C. thickens and contracts. D. thins and dilates.
D. thins and dilates.
The cervix thins and dilates, allowing the uterus to contract and push the fetus out.
H-4) Which of the following statements about pregnancy is true?
A. Although blood volume increases, the number of red blood cells decreases.
B. The cardiovascular system responds to pregnancy by increasing blood volume, increasing cardiac output, and increasing heart rate.
C. The blood pressure of a pregnant female is usually slightly increased.
D. The vascularity of the uterus and related structures is decreased.
B. The cardiovascular system responds to pregnancy by increasing blood volume, increasing cardiac output, and increasing heart rate.
The cardiovascular system responds to pregnancy by increasing blood volume, increasing cardiac output, and increasing heart rate. Although blood volume increases, the number of red blood cells remains the same. This causes a dilution of the blood, referred to as anemia, and it should be remembered that although there is more blood, its oxygen-carrying capacity is actually decreased. The blood pressure of a pregnant female is usually slightly decreased, but high blood pressure can occur as well. There is also a massive increase in vascularity (presence of blood and blood vessels) in the uterus and related structures.
H-5) Which of the following statements about fetal development is true?
A. The uterus grows to reach the umbilicus by the third month.
B. The 9 months of pregnancy are divided into three 3-month periods, or semesters.
C. There is rapid uterine growth during the first trimester when the fetus is being formed.
D. The uterus grows to reach the epigastrium by the seventh month.
D. The uterus grows to reach the epigastrium by the seventh month.
The 9 months of pregnancy are divided into three 3-month periods, or trimesters. During the first trimester, the fetus is being formed. Since the fetus remains quite small, there is little uterine growth during this period. After the third month, the uterus grows rapidly, reaching the umbilicus (navel) by the fifth month and the epigastrium (upper abdomen) by the seventh month.
H-6) Your pregnant patient is in the third trimester. You have ruled out possible cervical spine injury. How should you transport the patient? A. Prone B. On her left side C. Supine D. In the Trendelenburg position
B. On her left side
To take the weight off the vena cava and counteract or avoid the possible drop in blood pressure, all third-trimester patients should be transported on their left sides. A pillow or rolled blanket should be placed behind the back to maintain proper positioning.
H-7) You are caring for a pregnant trauma patient with a possible cervical spine injury. She is due to deliver within the next month. How should you transport the patient?
A. With spinal precautions, as you would do normally
B. Without spinal precautions, on her left side
C. With spinal precautions, with patient and board tilted to the left as a unit
D. Without spinal precautions, on her right side
C. With spinal precautions, with patient and board tilted to the left as a unit
Third-trimester patients should be moved to a lateral position and transported on their left sides to take the weight off the vena cava, to counteract or avoid a possible drop in blood pressure. When spinal injury is involved, however, you must take spinal precautions while avoiding supine hypotensive syndrome. The patient is not able to be moved to a lateral position. She must be secured to a spine board, then the board and patient should be tipped to the left as a unit, relieving pressure on the abdominal organs and vena cava.
H-8) Which of the following events reliably occurs during the second stage of labor? A. The infant is delivered. B. The mucus plug is lost. C. The placenta is delivered. D. The bag of waters breaks.
A. The infant is delivered.
The second stage of labor is defined as the period from complete cervical dilation through delivery of the infant.
H-9) During which stage of labor does the cervix reach full dilation? A. First stage B. Third stage C. Braxton-Hicks stage D. Second stage
A. First stage
The end of the first stage of labor is marked by complete dilation of the cervix.
H-10) To assess your pregnant patient for crowning, you must: A. wait for ALS personnel to arrive. B. place the patient in the ambulance. C. obtain online medical direction. D. visualize the vaginal opening.
D. visualize the vaginal opening.
H-11) Your pregnant patient is contracting, and delivery appears imminent. Part of your care for the mother must include: A. vitals every 5 minutes. B. immediate transport. C. emotional support. D. orthostatic vitals.
C. emotional support.
Emotional support for the mother is an important part of your care during the delivery process.
H-12) Which of the following situations is most likely when a woman who is experiencing labor pain states that she needs to go to the bathroom to move her bowels?
A. She is in early labor, with adequate time for transport.
B. She is in false labor (Braxton-Hicks contractions).
C. The bag of waters is about to break.
D. Birth is imminent.
D. Birth is imminent.
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When the baby is in the birth canal, it often puts pressure on the rectum, causing the sensation that the mother needs to move her bowels. This is an indication that birth is imminent.
H-13) Your pregnant patient is contracting. Which of the following questions is most important in determining whether delivery is imminent?
A. ”Are you crowning?”
B. ”Are you experiencing uterine contractions?”
C. ”When did the labor pains start?”
D. ”Do you feel the urge to push?”
D. ”Do you feel the urge to push?”
As delivery gets close, the mother will feel the urge to push. This signals you to check for crowning and prepare for delivery.
H-14) When predicting the need for neonatal resuscitation, what is the significance of a pregnant patient in labor’s not having seen an obstetrician?
A. The patient has likely not received prior prenatal care.
B. The labor was probably induced by drug use.
C. There probably are underlying medical conditions.
D. This indicates a history of problems with pregnancy.
A. The patient has likely not received prior prenatal care.
If the pregnant patient in labor has not seen an obstetrician for her pregnancy, she probably hasn’t received any prior prenatal care.
H-15) Your pregnant patient is contracting. She denies any prenatal care. Why is this a concern?
A. The patient likely knows little about her health or that of her baby.
B. The patient is likely uninsured.
C. The patient must be transported to a county or state hospital.
D. The patient is likely not being truthful.
A. The patient likely knows little about her health or that of her baby.
H-16) If you cannot loosen or slip the umbilical cord over the baby’s head, then:
A. the delivery must proceed with the cord in place.
B. push the baby backward gently until you can create enough slack to loosen the cord.
C. pull the baby forward gently until you can create enough slack to loosen the cord.
D. clamp the cord in two places and cut the cord between the clamps.
D. clamp the cord in two places and cut the cord between the clamps.
If you cannot loosen or slip the cord over the baby’s head, the baby cannot be delivered. Therefore, immediately clamp the cord in two places using the clamps provided in the obstetrics kit. Be very careful not to injure the baby. With extreme care, cut the cord between the two clamps. Gently unwrap the ends of the cord from around the baby’s neck and proceed with the delivery.
H-17) What is NOT typically included in an obstetrics kit?
A. One pair of surgical scissors
B. Several individually wrapped sanitary napkins
C. A scalpel
D. Several pairs of sterile surgical gloves
C. A scalpel
H-18) At which of the following intervals should you assess an APGAR score on a newborn?
A. 5 minutes and 10 minutes after birth
B. 1 minute after birth and every 5 minutes thereafter
C. Every 5 minutes for an unstable newborn and every 15 minutes for a stable infant
D. 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth
D. 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth
H-19) What is NOT a reason for keeping a baby warm?
A. Ensuring the baby’s blood can properly carry oxygen
B. Maintaining the baby’s glucose levels
C. Keeping the baby comfortable
D. Maintaining the airway
D. Maintaining the airway
The most important aspect of caring for a neonate is keeping the baby warm. Newly born babies rapidly lose heat. This heat loss not only impacts their comfort but also can drop their glucose levels and even impact their ability to carry oxygen in their blood. For these reasons, you must consider heat retention a high priority. Keeping a baby warm, however, does not do anything specifically to maintain the airway.
H-20) Which of the following is the threshold for beginning chest compressions in a newborn? A. Heart rate < 60 per minute B. Respiratory rate < 60 per minute C. SpO2 < 80% one minute after birth D. Heart rate < 100 per minute
A. Heart rate < 60 per minute
A heart rate of less than 60 in a newborn indicates severe bradycardia and inadequate cardiac output. Begin chest compressions in a newborn with a heart rate less than 60.
H-21) You have just delivered, dried, and warmed a newborn. The newborn has slow, gasping respirations. You should:
A. begin chest compressions.
B. provide blow-by oxygen.
C. provide ventilations at 10-12 per minute.
D. provide ventilations at 40-60 per minute.
D. provide ventilations at 40-60 per minute.
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H-22) To find the mother’s uterus to initiate uterine massage as a means of managing postpartum uterine bleeding, palpate the abdomen until you note:
A. an object about the size and shape of a banana.
B. a grapefruit-sized object.
C. a square-shaped area just beneath the diaphragm.
D. a soft spot toward the lower half of the abdomen.
B. a grapefruit-sized object.
Massaging the uterus will help it contract. This will help control the bleeding. Feel the mother’s abdomen until you note a grapefruit-sized object. This is her uterus. Rub this area lightly with a circular motion. It should contract and become firm, and the bleeding should diminish.
H-23) Afterbirth tissues should be: A. saved and properly identified. B. disposed of in a biohazard container. C. thrown into any standard wastebasket. D. left where they are, for later disposal.
A. saved and properly identified.
Save all afterbirth tissues. The attending physician will want to examine the placenta and other tissues for completeness, since any afterbirth tissues remaining in the uterus pose a serious threat of infection and prolonged bleeding to the mother. Try to catch the afterbirth in a container. Place the container in a plastic bag, or wrap it in a towel, paper, or plastic. If no container is available, catch the afterbirth in a towel, paper, or a plastic bag. Label this material “placenta,” and include the name of the mother and the time the tissues were expelled.
H-24) As you inspect the perineum of a woman in labor to check for crowning, the water breaks. You note that it is pea green in color. What does that finding indicate? A. Meconium staining B. Stillbirth C. Preterm labor D. Multiple birth
A. Meconium staining
Meconium, the first stool to be passed by an infant, can be present in the amniotic fluid if the fetus had a hypoxic event.
H-25) If you notice that the patient has a prolapsed cord when you are examining for crowning, what should you do?
A. Elevate the patient’s hips, administer oxygen, wrap the cord using a sterile towel, and use your hand to prevent the fetal head from compressing the cord
B. Have the patient assume a squatting position over an area that you have prepared with sterile towels
C. Place the patient in Fowler’s position
D. Position the patient as for a breech delivery and proceed with the delivery
A. Elevate the patient’s hips, administer oxygen, wrap the cord using a sterile towel, and use your hand to prevent the fetal head from compressing the cord
Instruct the patient not to push, so as to avoid compression on the cord. Position the mother with her head down and pelvis raised with a blanket or pillow, using gravity to lessen pressure on the birth canal. Administer oxygen to the mother by nonrebreather mask. Wrap the cord with a sterile towel from the obstetrics kit. Insert a sterile, gloved hand in the vagina, and gently push the presenting part of the fetus (head or buttocks) up, back, or away from the pulsating cord.
H-26) Which of the following descriptions characterizes an ectopic pregnancy?
A. A fertilized ovum is implanted outside the uterine cavity and begins to develop into an embryo.
B. A pregnancy that continues past the expected due date
C. A “hidden” pregnancy that is, one that is not discovered until the mother goes into labor
D. The fetus presents in the birth canal feet down, rather than head down.
A. A fertilized ovum is implanted outside the uterine cavity and begins to develop into an embryo.
An ectopic pregnancy is when implantation of the fertilized egg is not in the body of the uterus, occurring instead in the fallopian tube (oviduct), cervix, or abdominopelvic cavity.
H-27) Which of the following signs and symptoms is associated with eclampsia? A. Seizures B. Hyperglycemia C. Painless vaginal bleeding D. Supine hypotensive syndrome
A. Seizures
Eclampsia is characterized by hypertension, edema, and proteinuria (preeclampsia) that have progressed to seizures (eclampsia).
H-28) When abruptio placentae causes excessive prebirth bleeding, you should:
A. Push a bulky dressing into the vagina, to stem the flow of blood.
B. mop up the blood with bulky dressings that you discard.
C. place a sanitary napkin over the vaginal opening.
D. carefully dispose of blood-soaked tissue in biohazard containers.
C. place a sanitary napkin over the vaginal opening.
For excessive prebirth bleeding, place a sanitary napkin over the vaginal opening. Note the time of napkin placement. Do not place anything in the vagina. Replace pads as they become soaked, but save all pads for use in evaluating blood loss. Save all tissue that is passed.
H-29) You suspect that your pregnant patient may be experiencing preeclampsia. Which of the following signs or symptoms is the patient likely experiencing? A. Hypotension B. Weight loss C. Hypoglycemia D. Hypertension
D. Hypertension
Seizures in pregnancy, sometimes caused by a condition called eclampsia, tend to occur late in pregnancy. The seizures are typically a result of a condition called preeclampsia. This condition is often related to pregnancy-induced hypertension, and may be well known to the patient. Preeclampsia can be recognized by altered mental status; swollen hands, feet, and/or face; and high blood pressure. Seizures in pregnancy pose a serious threat to both the mother and unborn baby.
H-30) You suspect that your patient has been sexually assaulted. You should:
A. document who likely committed the assault.
B. ask the patient to notify law enforcement.
C. fulfill any locally mandated reporting requirements.
D. ask the patient to describe exactly what happened.
C. fulfill any locally mandated reporting requirements.
You should document the situation objectively and fulfill any reporting requirements that are locally mandated.
H-31) In providing care for a patient with vaginal bleeding, which of the following steps is last? A. Ensure an adequate airway. B. Take Standard Precautions. C. Administer oxygen. D. Transport.
D. Transport.
Transporting the patient would follow taking Standard Precautions, ensuring an adequate airway, and administering high-concentration oxygen by nonrebreather mask if signs of shock were present or shock were suspected.
PT-1) When should the EMT initiate chest compressions on an infant?
A. When respirations are labored or gasping
B. When the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute
C. Anytime the heart rate is below 100 beats per minute
D. Only when there is no brachial pulse
B. When the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute
PT-2) When is it appropriate to massage the patient's uterus? A. After delivery of the placenta B. During labor C. Anytime before delivery of the baby D. Only when ALS providers are present
A. After delivery of the placenta
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Will help it to contract and help control bleeding
PT-3) Which of the following statements about pregnancy-related changes for the mother is true?
A. Respiratory rate decreases.
B. Cardiac output decreases.
C. Digestion slows.
D. Musculoskeletal ligaments lose elasticity.
C. Digestion slows.
PT-4) A newborn has a pink body but blue hands and feet 1 minute after birth. Which of the following is the correct notation of this finding? A. "1" for appearance B. "0" for appearance C. "1" for respiration D. "0" for respiration
A. ”1” for appearance
PT-5) Your patient is in active labor, and admits to abusing prescription narcotics. You should expect:
A. an uncomplicated delivery, if vital signs are normal.
B. the newborn to be Tachycardic on delivery.
C. the possible need for neonatal resuscitation.
D. a more rapid delivery.
C. the possible need for neonatal resuscitation.
PT-6) Which of the following statements about pregnancy-related changes in the mother's cardiovascular system is true? A. There is an increased lung capacity. B. The blood volume decreases. C. There is an increased oxygen demand. D. There is a decreased oxygen demand.
C. There is an increased oxygen demand.
PT-7) If a newborn is not breathing upon delivery, your first action should be to:
A. begin bag-valve-mask ventilations.
B. begin chest compressions and ventilations.
C. give blow-by oxygen.
D. rub the newborn’s back as you dry the newborn.
D. rub the newborn’s back as you dry the newborn.
PT-8) After delivery of the placenta, you observe an unusual amount of heavy bleeding. You should:
A. apply the PASG.
B. ask the mother to stop breast-feeding.
C. pack the vagina with gauze.
D. massage the uterus.
D. massage the uterus.
PT-9) When ovulation occurs, the fallopian tubes move the egg, or ovum, toward the uterus with waves of muscular contraction called: A. hydrolysis. B. urinalysis. C. neuralgia. D. peristalsis.
D. peristalsis.
PT-10) Your pregnant patient is contracting. You have determined that delivery is imminent. You should:
A. determine the mother’s preference.
B. transport immediately.
C. do nothing until ALS personnel arrive.
D. prepare to deliver on scene.
D. prepare to deliver on scene.
PT-11) Which of the following conditions would most likely result from trauma to the abdomen in a pregnant patient in the second or third trimester? A. Abruptio placentae B. Placenta previa C. Ectopic pregnancy D. Eclampsia
A. Abruptio placentae
PT-12) Your female patient has trauma to the external genitalia. For this type of call, you should always:
A. direct the patient to document exactly what happened.
B. notify law enforcement.
C. consider the possibility of assault.
D. fully expose the patient.
C. consider the possibility of assault.
PT-13) Which of the following steps is included in proper emergency medical care of a patient who is in active labor in which a normal delivery is anticipated?
A. Support the infant’s head as it delivers in the birth canal.
B. Have the mother lie flat on her back and place her hands behind her knees, to pull them back toward her shoulders as far as possible.
C. As the baby’s shoulders begin to emerge, guide the baby gently upward to deliver the lower shoulder first.
D. Position the mother on her left side with her right hip and knee flexed.
A. Support the infant’s head as it delivers in the birth canal.
PT-14) Which of the following statements best describes the cervix?
A. It is the opening at the junction of the uterus and the fallopian tube.
B. It is the narrow, lower end, or “neck,” of the uterus.
C. It is the duct through which an egg released from the ovary travels to the uterus.
D. It is the inner lining of the uterus.
B. It is the narrow, lower end, or “neck,” of the uterus.
PT-15) What is the typical duration of the first stage of labor in first-time mothers? A. Less than 6 hours B. About 16 hours C. About 2 hours D. At least 24 hours
B. About 16 hours
PT-16) Your patient has been sexually assaulted. Law enforcement is on the scene. You should:
A. be conscious of the patient’s likely need for personal space.
B. withhold treatment until law enforcement has left the scene.
C. expose the patient and document your findings.
D. ask the patient to describe exactly what happened.
A. be conscious of the patient’s likely need for personal space.
PT-17) The female reproductive structure that houses the fetus during development is the: A. fallopian tube. B. cervix. C. uterus. D. ovary.
C. uterus.
PT-18) If it is necessary to begin chest compressions on a newborn, what is the correct depth of chest compression?
A. 1/2 - 1 inch
B. About two-thirds the depth of the chest
C. About one-third the depth of the chest
D. 2 - 2 1/2 inches
C. About one-third the depth of the chest
PT-19) Which of the following signs is LEAST associated with seizures in pregnancy?
A. Hypotension
B. Altered mental status
C. Swelling of the face, hands, ankles, and feet
D. Weight gain
A. Hypotension
PT-20) As you are assessing your pregnant patient and preparing for delivery, which of the following will NOT help you make a transport decision? A. A series of questions B. A determination of vital signs C. An examination for crowning D. A sense of urgency
D. A sense of urgency
PT-21) Traditional methods of treating shock will not be effective with: A. hemorrhagic shock. B. hypovolemic shock. C. anaphylaxis. D. supine hypotensive syndrome.
D. supine hypotensive syndrome