Chapter 32: Labor and Birth Complications-( Test Questions ) Flashcards
In planning for home care of a woman with preterm labor, which concern should the
nurse need to address?
Prolonged bed rest may cause negative physiologic effects.
Which nursing intervention is paramount when providing care to a client with preterm
labor who has received terbutaline?
Assess for dyspnea and crackles.
In evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate for the treatment of preterm labor,
which finding alerts the nurse to possible side effects?
Serum magnesium level of 10
mg/dl
A woman in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation receives two 12-mg intramuscular
(IM) doses of betamethasone. What is the purpose of this pharmacologic intervention?
To stimulate fetal surfactant production
A primigravida at 40 weeks of gestation is having uterine contractions every to 2 minutes
and states that they are very painful. Her cervix is dilated 2 cm and has not changed in 3
hours. The woman is crying and wants an epidural. What is the likely status of this
woman’s labor?
She is exhibiting hypertonic uterine dysfunction.
A woman is having her first child. She has been in labor for 15 hours. A vaginal
examination performed 2 hours earlier revealed the cervix to be dilated to 5 cm and
100% effaced, and the presenting part of the fetus was at station 0; however, another
vaginal examination performed 5 minutes ago indicated no changes. What abnormal
labor pattern is associated with this description?
Secondary arrest
Prostaglandin gel has been ordered for a pregnant woman at 43 weeks of gestation.
What is the primary purpose of prostaglandin administration?
To ripen the cervix in
preparation for labor induction
A pregnant woman at 29 weeks of gestation has been diagnosed with preterm labor. Her
labor is being controlled with to colytic medications. She asks when she might be able to
go home. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
“When we can stabilize your
preterm labor and arrange home health visits.”
The obstetric provider has informed the nurse that she will be performing an amniotomy
on the client to induce labor. What is the nurse’s highest priority intervention after the
amniotomy is performed?
Assessing the fetal heart rate (FHR)
The nurse who elects to work in the specialty of obstetric care must have the ability to
distinguish between preterm birth, preterm labor, and low birth weight. Which statement
regarding this terminology is correct?
Preterm labor is defined as cervical changes and
uterine contractions occurring between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation.
The nurse is performing an assessment on a client who thinks she may be experiencing
preterm labor. Which information is the most important for the nurse to understand and
share with the client?
Diagnosis of preterm labor is based on gestational age, uterine
activity, and progressive cervical change.
Which statement related to cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is the least accurate?
PD
can be accurately predicted.
Which statement related to the induction of labor is most accurate?
Is rated for viability by a Bishop score
A number of methods can be used for inducing labor. Which cervical ripening method falls under the category of mechanical or physical?
Labor can sometimes be induced with balloon catheters or laminaria tents.
Which description most accurately describes the augmentation of labor?
Is part of the active management of labor that is instituted when the labor process is unsatisfactory
The exact cause of preterm labor is unknown but believed to be multifactorial. Infection is thought to be a major factor in many preterm labors. Which type of infection has not been linked to preterm birth?
Viral
The nurse is teaching a client with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) regarding self-care activities. Which activities should the nurse include in her teaching?
Do not engage in sexual activity.
A woman at 26 weeks of gestation is being assessed to determine whether she is experiencing preterm labor. Which finding indicates that preterm labor is occurring?
The cervix is effacing and dilated to 2 cm.
Which assessment is least likely to be associated with a breech presentation?
Postterm gestation
A pregnant woman’s amniotic membranes have ruptured. A prolapsed umbilical cord is suspected. What intervention would be the nurse’s highest priority?
Placing the woman in the knee-chest position
What is the primary purpose for the use of tocolytic therapy to suppress uterine activity?
The most important function of tocolytic therapy is to provide the opportunity to administer antenatal glucocorticoids.
When would an internal version be indicated to manipulate the fetus into a vertex position?
Second twin from a transverse lie to a breech presentation during a vaginal birth
A client at 39 weeks of gestation has been admitted for an external version. Which intervention would the nurse anticipate the provider to order?
Tocolytic drug
What is a maternal indication for the use of vacuum-assisted birth?
Maternal exhaustion
