Stages of Labor
8–10 cm
The transition phase occurs at what cervical dilation?
Average FHR during a 10-minute segment, typically 110–160 bpm.
Define baseline fetal heart rate.
1 and 5 minutes after birth.
What is normal Apgar scoring time?
Prevents seizures by depressing CNS activity
Why is magnesium sulfate used in pre-eclampsia?
Painful bleeding, rigid abdomen, uterine tenderness.
Signs of placental abruption?
Midline, firm, at or just below the umbilicus.
What is the normal location of the uterus immediately after delivery?
Encourage ambulation, provide relaxation support, and monitor FHR
List one nursing action during the latent phase
Umbilical cord compression.
What causes variable decelerations?
Apply petroleum gauze, monitor for bleeding, teach care.
Nursing care for circumcision site?
Hypotension
Major adverse effect of epidural anesthesia?
Abruption = painful bleeding; Previa = painless bright red bleeding.
Difference between abruption and previa?
Fundus displaced to the right and boggy.
Which finding suggests bladder distention in the immediate postpartum period?
Birth of the baby
What marks the end of the second stage?
Turn patient, stop oxytocin, administer O₂, increase IV fluids, notify provider.
How do you respond to a prolonged deceleration?
Conduction – direct contact; Convection – air movement
Explain thermoregulation via conduction/convection.
Terbutaline – monitor for maternal tachycardia.
Name one tocolytic and its precaution.
Fetal shoulder stuck under pubic bone; perform McRoberts maneuver.
Define shoulder dystocia and a key nursing action.
Rubra (1–3 days), Serosa (4–10 days), Alba (up to 6 weeks).
What patient teaching should be provided for lochia progression?
Irritability, nausea/vomiting, loss of control, and shaking.
Identify two maternal behaviors in transition phase
Variable decelerations
Identify the pattern: U-shaped decels with contractions.
Tremors, jitteriness, poor feeding.
One sign of neonatal hypoglycemia?
Within 72 hours postpartum if the mother is Rh-negative and baby is Rh-positive.
When is Rho(D) immune globulin administered?
Sudden pain, loss of contractions, fetal distress, shoc
Signs of uterine rupture.
Encourage early ambulation and frequent voiding.
Which nursing action promotes uterine involution and prevents hemorrhage?
Irritability, nausea/vomiting, loss of control, and shaking.
Identify two maternal behaviors in transition phase.
Variable decelerations.
Identify the pattern: U-shaped decels with contractions.
Conduction – direct contact; Convection – air movement.
Explain thermoregulation via conduction/convection.
Within 72 hours postpartum if the mother is Rh-negative and baby is Rh-positive.
When is Rho(D) immune globulin administered?
Sudden pain, loss of contractions, fetal distress, shock.
Signs of uterine rupture.
Breasts, Uterus, Bladder, Bowels, Lochia, Episiotomy (perineum), Homan’s sign/Emotional status.
List two key postpartum assessments using the BUBBLE-HE acronym.