Chapter 13

Question 1

A new mother asks the nurse when the soft spot on her sons head will go away. The nurses answer is based on the knowledge that the anterior fontanel closes after birth by _____ months.

Answer 1

The larger of the two fontanels, the anterior fontanel, closes by 18 months after birth.

Question 2

When assessing a woman in labor, the nurse is aware that the relationship of the fetal body parts to one another is called fetal:

Answer 2

Attitude

Attitude is the relation of the fetal body parts to one another.

Question 3

When assessing the fetus using Leopold maneuvers, the nurse feels a round, firm, movable fetal part in the fundal portion of the uterus and a long, smooth surface in the mothers right side close to midline. What is the likely position of the fetus?

Answer 3

The fetus is positioned anteriorly in the right side of the maternal pelvis with the sacrum as the presenting part. RSA is the correct three-letter abbreviation to indicate this fetal position. The first letter indicates the presenting part in either the right or left side of the maternal pelvis. The second letter indicates the anatomic presenting part of the fetus. The third letter stands for the location of the presenting part in relation to the anterior, posterior, or transverse portion of the maternal pelvis. Palpation of a round, firm fetal part in the fundal portion of the uterus would be the fetal head, indicating that the fetus is in a breech position with the sacrum as the presenting part in the maternal pelvis. Palpation of the fetal spine along the mothers right side denotes the location of the presenting part in the mothers pelvis. The ability to palpate the fetal spine indicates that the fetus is anteriorly positioned in the maternal pelvis.

Question 4

The nurse has received report regarding her patient in labor. The womans last vaginal examination was recorded as 3 cm, 30%, and ?2-2. The nurses interpretation of this assessment is that:

Answer 4

The cervix is 3 cm dilated, it is effaced 30%, and the presenting part is 2 cm above the ischial spines.

Question 5

To care for a laboring woman adequately, the nurse understands that the __________ stage of labor varies the most in length?

Answer 5

The First

The first stage of labor is considered to last from the onset of regular uterine contractions to full dilation of the cervix. The first stage is much longer than the second and third stages combined. In a first-time pregnancy the first stage of labor can take up to 20 hours

Question 6

The nurse would expect which maternal cardiovascular finding during labor?

Answer 6

Increased cardiac output

During each contraction, 400 mL of blood is emptied from the uterus into the maternal vascular system. This increases cardiac output by about 51% above baseline pregnancy values at term. The heart rate increases slightly during labor. The WBC count can increase during labor. During the first stage of labor, uterine contractions cause systolic readings to increase by about 10 mm Hg. During the second stage, contractions may cause systolic pressures to increase by 30 mm Hg and diastolic readings to increase by 25 mm Hg.

Question 7

The factors that affect the process of labor and birth, known commonly as the five Ps, include all except:

Answer 7

Pressure

The five Ps are passenger (fetus and placenta), passageway (birth canal), powers (contractions), position of the mother, and psychologic response.

Question 8

The slight overlapping of cranial bones or shaping of the fetal head during labor is called:

Answer 8

Molding

Fetal head formation is called molding. Molding also permits adaptation to various diameters of the maternal pelvis. Lightening is the mothers sensation of decreased abdominal distention, which usually occurs the week before labor. The Ferguson reflex is the contraction urge of the uterus after stimulation of the cervix. The Valsalva maneuver describes conscious pushing during the second stage of labor.

Question 9

Which presentation is described accurately in terms of both presenting part and frequency of occurrence?

Answer 9

Cephalic: occiput; at least 95%

In cephalic presentations (head first), the presenting part is the occiput; this occurs in 96% of births. In a breech birth, the sacrum emerges first; this occurs in about 3% of births. In shoulder presentations, the scapula emerges first; this occurs in only 1% of births.

Question 10

With regard to factors that affect how the fetus moves through the birth canal, nurses should be aware that:

Answer 10

The normal attitude of the fetus is general flexion.

The fetal attitude is the relation of fetal body parts to one another. The horizontal lie is perpendicular to the mother; in the longitudinal (or vertical) lie the long axes of the fetus and the mother are parallel. Vaginal birth cannot occur if the fetus stays in a transverse lie.

Question 11

As relates to fetal positioning during labor, nurses should be aware that:

Answer 11

Birth is imminent when the presenting part is at +4 to +5 cm below the spine.

The station of the presenting part should be noted at the beginning of labor so that the rate of descent can be determined. Position is the relation of the presenting part of the fetus to the four quadrants of the mothers pelvis;station is the measure of degree of descent. The largest diameter usually is the biparietal diameter. The suboccipitobregmatic diameter is the smallest, although one of the most critical. Engagement often occurs in the weeks just before labor in nulliparas and before or during labor in multiparas.

Question 12

Which basic type of pelvis includes the correct description and percentage of occurrence in women?

Answer 12

Platypelloid: flattened, wide, shallow; 3%

A platypelloid pelvis is flattened, wide, and shallow; about 3% of women have this shape. The gynecoid shape is the classical female shape, slightly ovoid and rounded; about 50% of women have this shape. An android, or malelike, pelvis is heart shaped; about 23% of women have this shape. An anthropoid, or apelike, pelvis is oval and wider; about 24% of women have this shape.

Question 13

In relation to primary and secondary powers, the maternity nurse comprehends that:

Answer 13

Primary powers are responsible for effacement and dilation of the cervix.

The primary powers are responsible for dilation and effacement; secondary powers are concerned with expulsion of the fetus. Effacement generally is well ahead of dilation in first-timers; they are closer together in subsequent pregnancies. Scarring of the cervix may slow dilation. Pushing is more effective and less fatiguing when the woman begins to push only after she has the urge to do so.

Question 14

While providing care to a patient in active labor, the nurse should instruct the woman that:

Answer 14

Frequent changes in position will help relieve her fatigue and increase her comfort.

Frequent position changes relieve fatigue, increase comfort, and improve circulation. Blood flow can be compromised in the supine position; any upright position benefits cardiac output. The all fours position is used to relieve backache in certain situations. In a sitting or squatting position, the abdominal muscles work in greater harmony with uterine contractions.

Question 15

Which description of the four stages of labor is correct for both definition and duration?

Answer 15

First stage: onset of regular uterine contractions to full dilation; less than 1 hour to 20 hours

Full dilation may occur in less than 1 hour, but in first-time pregnancies it can take up to 20 hours. The second stage extends from full dilation to birth and takes an average of 20 to 50 minutes, although 2 hours is still considered normal. The third stage extends from birth to expulsion of the placenta and usually takes a few minutes. The fourth stage begins after expulsion of the placenta and lasts until homeostasis is reestablished (about 2 hours).

Question 16

With regard to the turns and other adjustments of the fetus during the birth process, known as the mechanism of labor, nurses should be aware that:

Answer 16

The effects of the forces determining descent are modified by the shape of the womans pelvis and the size of the fetal head.

The size of the maternal pelvis and the ability of the fetal head to mold also affect the process. The seven identifiable movements of the mechanism of labor occur in combinations simultaneously, not in precise sequences.Asynclitism is the deflection of the babys head; the Leopold maneuver is a means of judging descent by palpating the mothers abdomen. Restitution is the rotation of the babys head after the infant is born

Question 17

In order to evaluate the condition of the patient accurately during labor, the nurse should be aware that:

Answer 17

The endogenous endorphins released during labor will raise the womans pain threshold and produce sedation.

The endogenous endorphins released during labor will raise the womans pain threshold and produce sedation. In addition, physiologic anesthesia of the perineal tissues, caused by the pressure of the presenting part, decreases the mothers perception of pain. Blood pressure increases during contractions but remains somewhat elevated between them. Use of the Valsalva maneuver is discouraged during second stage labor because of a number of unhealthy outcomes, including fetal hypoxia. Pointing the toes can cause leg cramps, as can the process of labor itself.

Question 18

The maternity nurse understands that as the uterus contracts during labor, maternal-fetal exchange of oxygen and waste products:

Answer 18

Diminishes as the spiral arteries are compressed.

Uterine contractions during labor tend to decrease circulation through the spiral electrodes and subsequent perfusion through the intervillous space. The maternal blood supply to the placenta gradually stops with contractions. The exchange of oxygen and waste products decreases. The exchange of oxygen and waste products is affected by contractions.

Question 19

Which statement is the best rationale for assessing maternal vital signs between contractions?

Answer 19

Maternal circulating blood volume increases temporarily during contractions.

During uterine contractions, blood flow to the placenta temporarily stops, causing a relative increase in the mothers blood volume, which in turn temporarily increases blood pressure and slows pulse. It is important to monitor fetal response to contractions; however, this question is concerned with the maternal vital signs. Maternal blood flow is increased during a contraction. Vital signs are altered by contractions but are considered accurate for that period of time.

Question 20

In order to care for obstetric patients adequately, the nurse understands that labor contractions facilitate cervical dilation by:

Answer 20

Pulling the cervix over the fetus and amniotic sac.

Effective uterine contractions pull the cervix upward at the same time that the fetus and amniotic sac are pushed downward. The contractions are stronger at the fundus. The internal size becomes smaller with the contractions; this helps to push the fetus down. Blood flow decreases to the uterus during a contraction.

Question 21

To teach patients about the process of labor adequately, the nurse knows that which event is the best indicator of true labor?

Answer 21

Cervical dilation and effacement

The conclusive distinction between true and false labor is that contractions of true labor cause progressive change in the cervix. Bloody show can occur before true labor. Fetal descent can occur before true labor. False labor may have contractions that occur this frequently; however, this is usually inconsistent.

Question 22

Which occurrence is associated with cervical dilation and effacement?

Answer 22

Bloody show

As the cervix begins to soften, dilate, and efface, expulsion of the mucous plug that sealed the cervix during pregnancy occurs. This causes rupture of small cervical capillaries. Cervical dilation and effacement do not occur with false labor. Lightening is the descent of the fetus toward the pelvic inlet before labor. Bladder distention occurs when the bladder is not emptied frequently. It may slow down the descent of the fetus during labor.

Question 23

The primary difference between the labor of a nullipara and that of a multipara is the:

Answer 23

Total duration of labor

In a first-time pregnancy, descent is usually slow but steady; in subsequent pregnancies, descent is more rapid, resulting in a shorter duration of labor. Cervical dilation is the same for all labors. Level of pain is individual to the woman, not to the number of labors she has experienced. The sequence of labor mechanisms is the same with all labors.

Question 24

A primigravida at 39 weeks of gestation is observed for 2 hours in the intrapartum unit. The fetal heart rate has been normal. Contractions are 5 to 9 minutes apart, 20 to 30 seconds in duration, and of mild intensity. Cervical dilation is 1 to 2 cm and uneffaced (unchanged from admission). Membranes are intact. The nurse should expect the woman to be:

Answer 24

Discharged home to wait for the onset of labor

This situation describes a woman with normal assessments who is probably in false labor and will probably not deliver rapidly once true labor begins. These are all indications of false labor without fetal distress. There is no indication that further assessment or cesarean birth is indicated. The patient will likely be discharged; however, there is no indication that a sedative is needed.

Question 25

Which nursing assessment indicates that a woman who is in second-stage labor is almost ready to give birth?

Answer 25

The vulva bulges and encircles the fetuses head

During the active pushing (descent) phase, the woman has strong urges to bear down as the presenting part of the fetus descends and presses on the stretch receptors of the pelvic floor. The vulva stretches and begins to bulge encircling the fetal head. Birth of the head occurs when the station is +4. A 0 station indicates engagement. Bloody show occurs throughout the labor process and is not an indication of an imminent birth. Rupture of membranes can occur at any time during the labor process and does not indicate an imminent birth.

Question 26

Signs that precede labor include:

Answer 26

Lightening, bloody show and rupture of membranes

Signs that precede labor may include lightening, urinary frequency, backache, weight loss, surge of energy, bloody show, and rupture of membranes. Many women experience a burst of energy before labor. A decrease in fetal movement is an ominous sign that does not always correlate with labor.

Question 27

Which factors influence cervical dilation?

Answer 27

Strong uterine contractions, the force of presenting fetal part against the cervix, the pressure applied by the amniotic sac and scarring of the cervix.

Dilation of the cervix occurs by the drawing upward of the musculofibrous components of the cervix, which is caused by strong uterine contractions. Pressure exerted by the amniotic fluid while the membranes are intact or by the force applied by the presenting part also can promote cervical dilation. Scarring of the cervix as a result of a previous infection or surgery may slow cervical dilation. Pelvic size does not affect cervical dilation.

Question 28

For vaginal birth to be successful, the fetus must adapt to the birth canal during the descent. The turns and other adjustments necessary in the human birth process are termed the mechanism of labor. Please list the seven cardinal movements in the mechanism of labor in the correct order.

Answer 28

In a vertex presentation the cardinal movements, in order, are: engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation (restitution), and finally birth by expulsion. Although these movements are discussed separately, in actuality a combination of movements occurs simultaneously (i.e., engagement involves both descent and flexion).