Epidural
This action is taken before administering an epidural to help prevent maternal hypotension.
What is giving an IV fluid bolus?
This medication is most commonly used to augment labor when contractions are inadequate.
What is oxytocin (Pitocin)?
This fetal heart rate pattern is considered reassuring and often shows an increase in FRH with fetal movement or uterine contractions.
What are accelerations?
This is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage and should be assessed first.
What is uterine atony?
This pregnancy complication is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks gestation and can lead to seizures if untreated.
What is pre-eclampsia?
After an epidural is placed, this frequent assessment ensures maternal safety and early detection of complications.
What is monitoring blood pressure?
Before performing an amniotomy, the nurse must ensure the fetal head is engaged to reduce the risk of this OB emergency.
What is cord prolapse?
These decelerations mirror the contraction pattern, typically caused by fetal head compression during labor, and are generally considered benign.
What are early decelerations?
This maternal position—often used in emergencies—helps alleviate compression of the prolapsed umbilical cord.
What is knee-chest or Trendelenburg position?
This condition occurs when a pregnant person has high blood glucose levels, usually diagnosed during the second trimester, and increases the risk for macrosomia.
What is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)?
If a patient becomes hypotensive after an epidural, this is the priority maternal positioning.
What is left lateral?
This prostaglandin medication can be inserted vaginally to soften and thin the cervix before induction.
What is misoprostol or dinoprostone?
These abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate vary in duration, intensity, and timing, often caused by umbilical cord compression.
What are variable decelerations?
This classic triad—painful vaginal bleeding, abdominal rigidity, and uterine tenderness—suggests this obstetric emergency.
What is placental abruption?
This placenta-related complication occurs when the placenta covers part or all of the cervix, causing painless vaginal bleeding.
What is placenta previa?
If a patient becomes hypotensive after an epidural, this is the priority nursing intervention.
What is administering an IV fluid bolus?
This mechanical method uses pressure on the cervix to stimulate dilation and ripening.
What is a Foley balloon or Cook catheter?
This pattern of deceleration begins after the contraction starts and returns to baseline after the contraction ends, indicating potential uteroplacental insufficiency.
What are late decelerations?
This maneuver, involving hyperflexion of the mother’s legs toward her abdomen, is the first-line nursing action during shoulder dystocia.
What is the McRoberts maneuver?
These medications are commonly used to prevent or treat excessive postpartum bleeding by stimulating uterine contractions. Give the specific name of the meds, not the category (3)
What are PPH medications (oxytocin, misoprostol, methylergonovine, carboprost)?
This medication may be administered if repositioning and fluids do not correct post-epidural hypotension.
What is a vasopressor such as ephedrine?
This procedure, performed around 36–37 weeks, uses abdominal manipulation to turn a breech fetus into a cephalic presentation.
What is an external cephalic version?
This type of deceleration lasts longer than 2 minutes but less than 10 minutes and may indicate fetal hypoxia, cord prolapse, or maternal hypotension.
What are prolonged decelerations?
This condition, in which the placenta invades too deeply into the uterine wall, often requires this surgical intervention after delivery.
What is a hysterectomy?
This assisted vaginal delivery uses a device to apply traction to the fetal head during the second stage of labor, often indicated for prolonged pushing or fetal distress.
What is a vacuum-assisted delivery?