Signs and Symptoms of Labor
This occurs when the pregnant client has a burst of energy and begins to clean the entire house.
What is "nesting."
This is the cervical dilation that occurs in the First Stage of Labor
What is widening of the cervix to allow for the fetal head to pass through the vaginal canal. (0-10 cm)
A client is being induced for labor and IV Pitocin is infusing per the order.
The client begins to have increased contractions (with no rest in between) and FHR decreases to 100 per minute.
What is going on based on these S/S?
What is uterine hypertonicity (tachysystole) and fetal distress.
Stopping the Pitocin would be the best option.
Two part question:
1) Name at least two examples of non-pharmacological pain relief methods during labor and delivery.
2) What is the name of the theory that decreases the pain signals?
1) What is aromatherapy, massage, touch, walking, hydrotherapy, music, deep breathing, meditation, imagery, heat/cold, birthing ball, tub etc.
2) "Gate Control Theory"
These are two tests that may be performed to determine if the amniotic membranes have ruptured.
What is the Fern test or the Nitrazine Paper Test.
Two part question:
1) This is when a woman says that her "water broke?"
2) This is referred to as AROM.
1) What is the fluid (amniotic) sac around the baby breaks, causing a release of fluid to escape the vaginal opening. (SROM)
2) Artificial Rupture of Membranes occurs when an amniotomy is performed by the HCP. A hook actually breaks the amniotic sac and this augments ("hurries" up the labor).
This is the effacement of the cervix & how it's described/measured.
What is thinning and shortening of the cervix to allow for easier passage of the fetal head during the first stage of labor. (measured from 0-100 %)
This is the most common position for labor and delivery in a hospital setting.
What is lithotomy position (legs in stirrups)
This has been found to be the most important factor for pain control during labor and delivery, according to research.
What is attendance of mother in childbirth preparation classes & personal support.
This is the MOST important intervention that a nurse can perform during labor and delivery.
What is support for the laboring woman.
A RN reports to her next shift RN that her patient is at a -2 Station.
What is this mean?
The fetal head is 2 cm above the ischial spines, +2 is 2 cm below the ischial spines. (+2 & +3 means the delivery is coming soon).
(The level of the ischial spines in the pelvic area of the pregnant client).
This happens during the third stage of labor.
What occurs right after the delivery of the baby & delivery of the placenta.
Name an indication for having a cesarean section over a vaginal birth.
What is cord prolapse, difficult labor or past c-section delivery, early separation of placenta, improper placement of the placenta, ecclampsia.
This is the reason why pain meds are not given within the hour of birth or after 7 cm.
What are some medications can impact the fetus if administered too close to the birth (causing respiratory depression).
This is the timeframe a nurse would initiate skin to skin contact.
Name at least one benefit.
What is immediately after birth (within the hour).
This is referred to as the "Golden Hour," when newborns are most alert.
To promote breastfeeding and/or prevent heat loss in the newborn.
This is the feeling of the dropping of the fetal head into the lower pelvic area.
What is "lightening."
These are the names of the three phases during the 1st stage of labor.
What is Early (Latent), Active and Transitional phases.
(Make sure you review these phases on the PPT!)
This is the name of the desired cut upon either the abdomen or uterus for a cesarean section.
What is a "bikini cut" (a transverse incision of the uterus.)
Describe an epidural, discuss the biggest side effect, and what to do to prevent this side effect.
What is a form of anesthesia that is administered to mothers in labor both for vaginal and cesarean births that helps to numb the pain of labor (may affect the mother's ability to push.)
Hypotension (make sure IVF are given to prevent hypotension)
Name a complication that could occur during the process of labor and delivery that a nurse must monitor for.
What is dystocia (slow progression of labor), cord prolapse, "turtle sign," (indicating shoulder dystocia) decrease in fetal heart rate (signs of fetal distress: late decels on the monitor etc.)
This occurs when contractions become more intense with walking and changing of positions.
What is "True Labor" vs. "False Labor."
This occurs during the 4th stage of labor.
What is recovery, return of normal body processes and functions (postpartum during the first 4 hours).
A client has an Epidural in place and suddenly develops Hypotension.
What are the best nursing actions to do?
(Name two)
Increase IVF and turn the client on her left side.
This may given to a patient who is undergoing laceration or epis. repair by the HCP.
What is a local anesthetic?
Name at least two of the four characteristics of uterine contractions that a nurse would assess and document based on the FHR pattern.
What is frequency, intensity, duration, and resting tone.