Exam 3 Flashcards
The nurse measures the frequency of a laboring woman’s contractions by noting:
How long the patient states the contractions last.
The time between the end of one contraction and the beginning of the next.
The time between the beginning and the end of one contraction.
The time between the beginning of one contraction and the beginning of the next.
The time between the beginning of one contraction and the beginning of the next.
The relaxation phase between contractions is important because the:
Laboring woman needs to rest.
Uterine muscles fatigue without relaxation.
Contractions can interfere with fetal oxygenation.
Infant progresses toward delivery at these times.
Contractions can interfere with fetal oxygenation
At a prenatal visit, a primigravida asks the nurse how she will know her labor has started. The nurse instructs the woman that the beginning of true labor is indicated by:
Contractions that are relieved by walking.
Discomfort in the abdomen and groin.
A decrease in vaginal discharge.
Regular contractions becoming more frequent and intense.
Regular contractions becoming more frequent and intense.
The nurse caring for a woman in the first stage of labor reminds the patient that contractions during this stage of labor:
Get the infant positioned for delivery.
Push the infant into the vagina.
Dilate and efface the cervix.
Get the mother prepared for true labor.
Dilate and efface the cervix
The nurse explains that the function of contractions during the second stage of labor is to:
Align the infant into the proper position for delivery.
Dilate and efface the cervix.
Push the infant out of the mother’s body.
Separate the placenta from the uterine wall.
C. Push the infant out of the mother’s body
The nurse explains that the third stage of labor ends with:
Full cervical dilation.
Expulsion of the placenta and membranes.
Birth of the infant.
Engagement of the head.
Expulsion of the placenta and membranes
During the fourth stage of labor, the nurse encourages the mother to void, because a full bladder may:
Interfere with cervical dilation.
Obstruct progress of the infant through the birth canal.
Obstruct the passage of the placenta.
Predispose the mother to uterine hemorrhage.
Predispose the mother to uterine hemorrhage
The nurse observes on the fetal monitor a pattern of a 15 beat increase in the fetal heart rate that lasts 15 to 20 seconds. The nurse knows that this pattern is indicative of:
A. Well oxygenated fetus.
B. Compression of the umbilical cord.
C. Compression of the fetal head.
D. Uteroplacental insufficiency
A. Well oxygenated fetus
One hour postdelivery the nurse notes the new mother has saturated three perineal pads. The nurse should:
A. Check the fundus for position and firmness.
B. Report to the doctor immediately.
C. Change the pads and chart the time.
D. Time how long it takes to soak one pad.
A. Check the fundus for position and firmness.
While caring for a laboring woman, the nurse notices a pattern of variable decelerations in fetal heart rate with uterine contractions. The nurse’s initial action is to:
A. Stop the oxytocin infusion.
B. Increase the intravenous flow rate.
C. Reposition the woman to her side.
D. Start oxygen via nasal cannula.
C. Reposition the woman to her side.
To relieve perineal bruising and edema following delivery the nurse should
Place an ice pack on the area for 12 hours.
Place a warm pack on the perineal area for 24 hours.
Administer aspirin to relieve inflammation.
Change the perineal pad frequently.
Place an ice pack on the area for 12 hours.
At 1 and 5 minutes of life, a newborn’s apgar score is 9. The nurse understands that a score of 9 indicates this newborn:
A. Will require resuscitation.
B. May have physical disabilities.
C. Will have above average intelligence.
D. Is in stable condition.
D. Is in stable condition
The nurse formulates a nursing diagnosis for a woman in the fourth stage of labor. The most appropriate nursing diagnosis is:
Pain related to increasing frequency and intensity of contractions.
Fear related to the probable need for cesarean delivery.
Dysuria related to prolonged labor and decreased intake.
Risk for injury related to hemorrhage.
Risk for injury related to hemorrhage
The nurse caring for a patient who is not certain if she is in true labor will attempt to stimulate cervical effacement and intensity contractions in the patients by:
A. Offering the patient warm fluids to drink.
B. Helping the patient to ambulate in room.
C. Seating the patient upright in a straight backed chair.
D. Positioning the patient on her right side.
B. Helping the patient to ambulate in room.
When late decelerations occur, the nurse should:
A. Reposition the patient to supine.
B. Decrease flow of intravenous (IV) fluids.
C. Increase oxygen to 10L/minute.
D. Prepare to increase oxytocin drip.
C. Increase oxygen to 10 L/minute.
The nurse takes into consideration that the primary concern in the initial care of the newborn is maintaining:
A. Fluid intake.
B. Feeding schedule.
C. Thermoregulation.
D. Parental bonding.
C. Thermoregulation
A nurse instructs a woman’s labor coach to comfort her by firmly pressing on her lower back. What is this technique?
A. Sacral pressure
B. Distraction
C. Effleurage
D. Conscious relaxation
A. Sacral pressure
A woman who is 6 cm dilated has the urge to push. What will the nurse instruct the woman to do during the contraction?
A. Use slow paced breathing.
B. Hold her breath and push.
C. Blow in short breaths
D. Use rapid paced breathing
C. Blow in short breaths
Several hours into labor, a woman complains of dizziness, numbness, and tingling of her hands and mouth. What does the nurse recognize these symptoms signify?
A. Hypertension
B. Anxiety
C. Anoxia
D. Hyperventilation
D. Hyperventilation
A woman in the transition phase of labor requests a narcotic analgesic medication for pain relief. What should the nurse explain regarding giving a narcotic analgesic medication at this stage of labor?
A. It can cause medication given at later stages to be ineffective.
B. It will have no complications for the mother or infant.
C. It may result in respiratory depression to the newborn.
D. It will speed up labor and increase pain.
C. It may result in respiratory depression to the newborn.
A woman in labor will receive general anesthesia prior to cesarean section. The nurse reminds the patient that food and fluids need to be restricted for several hours prior to delivery. What will this prevent?
a. Nausea and vomiting
b. Vomiting and aspiration
c. Abdominal cramping
d. Intestinal obstruction
B. Vomiting and aspiration
What assessment should be taken immediately after the anesthesiologist administers an epidural block to a laboring woman?
a. Bladder for distention
b. Blood pressure
c. Sensation in the lower extremities
d. Intravenous fluid flow rate
B. Blood pressure
A woman in labor has had an epidural block for pain relief. The nurse will be assessing carefully for what associated side effect of this type of regional anesthesia?
a. Reduced fetal heart rate
b. Long, intense contractions
c. Sudden leg cramps
d. Bladder distention
D. Bladder distention
Which narcotic antagonist is used to reverse narcotic induced respiratory depression?
a. Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
b. Phenobarbital
c. Naloxone (Narcan)
d. Nitrous oxide
C. Naloxone (Narcan)
An 18 year old primigravida is 4 cm dilated and her contractions are 5 minutes apart. She received little prenatal care and had no childbirth preparation. She is crying loudly and shouting, “Please give me something for the pain. I can’t take the pain!” What is the priority nursing diagnosis?
a. Pain related to uterine contractions
b. Knowledge deficit related to the birth experience
c. Ineffective coping related to inadequate preparation for labor
d. Risk for injury related to lack of prenatal care
A. Pain related to uterine contractions
The nurse who encourages the gate control theory of pain control would advise a woman in labor and her partner to use which nonpharmacological method of pain management?
a. Slow abdominal breathing
b. Guided relaxation
c. Listening to music
d. Massage
D. Massage
The nurse is caring for a laboring patient who is not reporting pain. What sign would alert the nurse of the need for pain relief?
Frequently asking for ice chips
Facial grimacing
Changing positions in bed
Covering her face with her hands
Facial grimacing
When caring for the laboring patient, the nurse determines that the fetus is located in the right occiput posterior (ROA). What will the nurse anticipate?
a. Urinary retention
b. Severe lower back pain
c. A shorter labor process
d. Nausea
B. Severe lower back pain
What nursing assessment should be reported immediately after an amniotomy?
a. Fetal heart rate is regular at 154 beats/min.
b. Amniotic fluid is clear with flecks of vernix.
c. Amniotic fluid is watery and pale green.
d. Maternal temperature is 37.8 C.
C. Amniotic fluid is watery and pale green.
What nursing care should be provided to a woman with a third-degree laceration immediately after delivery?
a. Warm compresses to the perineum
b. Cold pack to the perineum
c. Warm sitz bath
d. Elevation of hips to prevent edema
B. Cold pack to the perineum
After several hours of labor, a nursing assessment reveals that a woman’s cervix is 5 cm dilated but contractions are becoming shorter and less frequent. What is this labor pattern considered?
a. Normal
b. Hypotonic
c. Hypertonic
d. False
B. Hypotonic
An infant is delivered with the use of forceps. What should the nurse assess for in the newborn?
a. Loss of hair from contact with forceps
b. Sacral hematoma
c. Facial asymmetry
d. Shoulder dislocation
C. Facial asymmetry
A new mother is distressed and tearful about the elevated dome over her infants posterior fontanelle. The nurse responds, This condition will resolve itself in a few days. What is the cause?
a. Prolonged pressure against the partially dilated cervix
b. Small leak of fluid through the posterior fontanelle
c. Pressure of the forceps during delivery
d. The effect of the vacuum extractor
The effect of the vacuum extractor
A frustrated patient in labor has been affected by decreased uterine muscle tone and reports, My doctor won’t induce my labor because of some silly score. He said I was a 4. What kind of magic number do I need? What is the lowest Bishop score the patient should have prior to induction?
a. 6
b. 8
c. 10
d. 12
6
The initial vaginal examination of a woman admitted to the labor unit reveals that the cervix is dilated 9 cm. The panicked woman begs the nurse, Please give me something. What is the most appropriate pain relief intervention for a woman in precipitate labor?
a. Get an order for an intravenous narcotic.
b. Notify the anesthesiologist for an epidural block.
c. Stay and breathe with her during contractions.
d. Tell her to bear with it because she is close to delivery.
Stay and breathe with her during contractions.
A student nurse questions the instructor regarding what alteration should be made for the assessment of the fundus of a new postoperative cesarean section patient. What is the best response?
a. The fundus is not assessed until the second postoperative day.
b. The fundus is assessed by walking fingers from the side of the uterus to the midline.
c. The fundus is assessed only if large clots appear in lochia.
d. The fundus is assessed only once every shift.
b. The fundus is assessed by walking fingers from the side of the uterus to the midline.