Exam 2 - Chapter 16 Flashcards
A new mother asks the nurse when the “soft spot” on her son’s head will go away. The nurse’s answer is based on the knowledge that the anterior fontanel closes after birth by: a. 2 months b. 8 months c. 12 months d. 18 months
D - The larger of the two fontanels, the anterior fontanel closes by 18 months after birth.
The posterior fontanel closes at 6 to 8 weeks.
Eight months is much too early for the anterior fontanel to close. It closes by 18 months after birth.
Twelve months is too soon. The anterior fontanel closes by 18 months.
When assessing a woman in labor, the nurse is aware that the relationship of the fetal body parts to one another is called fetal: a. Lie b. Presentation c. Attitude d. Position
C - Attitude is the relation of the fetal body parts to each other.
Lie is the relation of the long axis (spine) of the fetus to the long axis (spine) of the mother.
Presentation refers to the part of the fetus that enters the pelvic inlet first and leads through the birth canal during labor at term.
Position is the relation of the presenting part to the four quadrants of the mother’s pelvis.
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 mother’s right side close to midline. What is the likely position of the fetus? a. ROA b. LSP c. RSA d. LOA
C - Fetal position is denoted with a three-letter abbreviation. 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 mother’s right side denotes the location of the presenting part in the mother’s pelvis. The ability to palpate the fetal spine indicates that the fetus is anteriorly positioned in the maternal pelvis. This 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
What position is least effective when gravity is desired to assist in fetal descent? a. Lithotomy b. Kneeling c. Sitting d. Walking
A - The predominant position in the United States for physician-attended births is the lithotomy position, which requires a woman to be in a reclined position with her legs in stirrups. Gravity has little effect in this position.
The nurse recognizes that a woman is in true labor when she states:
a.
“I passed some thick, pink mucus when I urinated this morning.”
b.
“My bag of waters just broke.”
c.
“The contractions in my uterus are getting stronger and closer together.”
d.
“My baby dropped, and I have to urinate more frequently now.”
C - Regular, strong contractions with the presence of cervical change indicate that the woman is experiencing true labor.
Loss of the mucous plug (operculum) often occurs during the first stage of labor or before the onset of labor, but it is not the indicator of true labor.
Spontaneous rupture of membranes often occurs during the first stage of labor, but it is not the indicator of true labor.
The presenting part of the fetus typically becomes engaged in the pelvis at the onset of labor, but this is not the indicator of true labor.
The nurse has received a report about a woman in labor. The woman’s last vaginal examination was recorded as 3 cm, 30%, and –2. The nurse’s interpretation of this assessment is that:
a.
The cervix is effaced 3 cm, it is dilated 30%, and the presenting part is 2 cm above the ischial spines
b.
The cervix is 3 cm dilated, it is effaced 30%, and the presenting part is 2 cm above the ischial spines
c.
The cervix is effaced 3 cm, it is dilated 30%, and the presenting part is 2 cm below the ischial spines
d.
The cervix is dilated 3 cm, it is effaced 30%, and the presenting part is 2 cm below the ischial spines
B - The sterile vaginal examination is recorded as centimeters of cervical dilation, percentage of cervical dilation, and the relationship of the presenting part to the ischial spines (either above or below). For this woman, the cervix is dilated 3 cm and effaced 30%, and the presenting part is 2 cm above the ischial spines.
A pregnant woman is at 38 weeks of gestation. She wants to know if any signs indicate “labor is getting closer to starting.” The nurse informs the woman that which of the following is a sign that labor may begin soon? a. Weight gain of 1.5 to 2 kg (3 to 4 lb) b. Increase in fundal height c. Urinary retention d. Surge of energy
D - Women speak of having a burst of energy before labor.
The woman may lose 0.5 to 1.5 kg, the result of water loss caused by electrolyte shifts, which in turn are caused by changes in the estrogen and progesterone levels.
When the fetus descends into the true pelvis (called lightening), the fundal height may decrease.
Urinary frequency may return before labor.
To adequately care for a laboring woman, the nurse should know which stage of labor varies the most in length? a. First b. Second c. Third d. Fourth
A - 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.
The second stage of labor lasts from the time the cervix is fully dilated to the birth of the fetus. The average length is 20 minutes for a multiparous woman and 50 minutes for a nulliparous woman.
The third stage of labor lasts from the birth of the fetus until the placenta is delivered. This stage may be as short as 3 minutes or as long as 1 hour.
The fourth stage of labor, recovery, lasts about 2 hours after delivery of the placenta.
The nurse expects which maternal cardiovascular finding during labor? a. Increased cardiac output b. Decreased pulse rate c. Decreased white blood cell (WBC) count d. Decreased blood pressure
A - During each contraction, 400 ml of blood is emptied from the uterus into the maternal vascular system. This increases cardiac output by about 10% to 15% in the first stage of labor and by about 30% to 50% in the second stage.
The factors that affect the process of labor and birth, known commonly as the five Ps, include all except: a. Passenger b. Passageway c. Powers d. Pressure
D - The five Ps are passenger (fetus and placenta), passageway (birth canal), powers (contractions), position of the mother, and psychologic response. Pressure is not one of the five Ps. The passenger (fetus and placenta) is one of the five Ps. The passageway (birth canal) is also one of the five Ps. Powers (contractions) are a necessary component of the five Ps.
To provide the necessary assessment of parent education, the nurse must know which bone is not a bone in the fetal skull? a. Parietal b. Temporal c. Fontanel d. Occipital
C - The fetal skull has two parietal bones, two temporal bones, an occipital bone, and a frontal bone. The fontanels are membrane-filled spaces.
The fetal skull has two parietal bones.
The fetal skull has two temporal bones.
The fetal skull has an occipital bone and a frontal bone.
The slight overlapping of cranial bones or shaping of the fetal head during labor is called: a. Lightening b. Molding c. Ferguson reflex d. Valsalva maneuver
B - Molding also permits adaptation to various diameters of the maternal pelvis.
Lightening is the mother’s 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.
Which presentation is described accurately in terms of both presenting part and frequency of occurrence? a. Cephalic: occiput; at least 96% b. Breech: sacrum; 10% to 15% c. Shoulder: scapula; 10% to 15% d. Cephalic: cranial; 80% to 85%
A - 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.
In a cephalic presentation the part of the head or cranium that emerges first is the occiput; cephalic presentations occur in 96% of births.
Regarding how the fetus moves through the birth canal, nurses should be aware that:
a.
The fetal attitude describes the angle at which the fetus exits the uterus
b.
Of the two primary fetal lies, the horizontal lie is that in which the long axis of the fetus is parallel to the long axis of the mother
c.
The normal attitude of the fetus is called general flexion
d.
The transverse lie is preferred for vaginal birth
C - The normal attitude of the fetus is general flexion.
The fetal attitude is the relation of fetal body parts to each other. The normal attitude is called general flexion.
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.
A woman’s position is very important in the progress of labor. While discussing optimal positioning, maternity nurses should be able to tell the client that:
a.
The supine position commonly used in the United States increases blood flow
b.
The “all fours” position, on her hands and knees, is hard on her back
c.
Frequent changes in position help relieve her fatigue and increase her comfort
d.
In a sitting or squatting position her abdominal muscles will have to work harder
C - 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.