A nurse is assessing a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation.
Upon admission 2 hours ago, the client had irregular contractions, was dilated 2 cm, and was at -1 cm station. Which of the following findings indicates progression in labor?
The client's contractions persist with walking.
The client reports urinary frequency.
The client has increased blood-tinged vaginal mucus.
The client's station is at -3 cm.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
True labor contractions persist and often intensify with activity, such as walking, because physical exertion promotes the release of oxytocin. In contrast, Braxton Hicks or false labor contractions typically diminish or cease with ambulation. Therefore, contractions persisting with walking indicate the cervical changes characteristic of progression into the active phase of labor.
Choice B rationale
Urinary frequency is a common discomfort throughout the third trimester of pregnancy due to the pressure of the enlarged uterus on the bladder. While present, it is not a specific indicator of the progression of labor from the latent to the active phase, which is characterized by measurable changes in cervical dilation and effacement.
Choice C rationale
Increased blood-tinged vaginal mucus, known as "bloody show," results from the cervical capillaries breaking as the cervix effaces and dilates. While this indicates cervical change, the most definitive sign of labor progression is a change in the frequency, duration, and intensity of contractions coupled with measurable descent or cervical dilation increase.
Choice D rationale
The station is the relationship of the presenting part to the ischial spines (zero station). The client's initial station was -1 cm. A change to -3 cm station indicates the fetus has moved up and away from the ischial spines, which signifies regression, or higher negative numbers, in the engagement, not the desired progression into the maternal pelvis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Body tremors are a key indicator of central nervous system (CNS) hyperirritability, which is a major component of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) following in utero exposure to opioids like heroin. The newborn's immature CNS struggles to adapt after the abrupt cessation of the drug, leading to uncoordinated, jerky movements, exaggerated reflexes, and generalized irritability.
Choice B rationale
Tachypneic respirations (respiratory rate greater than 60 breaths/min) are a common sign of NAS. This occurs due to the dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system and increased metabolic rate associated with the hyperirritable state. Other respiratory signs include flaring, retractions, and frequent yawning or sneezing, reflecting CNS overstimulation.
Choice C rationale
The hyperirritability of the CNS in NAS typically leads to increased and exaggerated reflexes (hyperreflexia), such as a hyperactive Moro reflex, not decreased reflexes. Decreased reflexes would suggest CNS depression, which is characteristic of acute opioid intoxication, not the withdrawal state of NAS.
Choice D rationale
Newborns experiencing NAS are characterized by CNS hyperstimulation, leading to excessive wakefulness, irritability, and an inability to be consoled, often referred to as hyperactivity or agitation. Extreme lethargy and hypoactivity are signs of CNS depression or severe illness, which is contrary to the expected presentation of NAS.
Choice E rationale
The hyper-responsiveness of the newborn's CNS in NAS causes a characteristic high-pitched, non-stop, inconsolable crying. This shrill, distressed cry is due to the sustained state of irritability and neurological overstimulation, representing a significant manifestation of withdrawal symptoms that is distressing to both the newborn and the caregivers.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Oxytocin use for labor induction or augmentation is a significant risk factor for uterine atony, the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Prolonged or high-dose exposure can lead to receptor downregulation or overstimulation, resulting in a fatigued or poorly contracting uterus, which fails to clamp down on the blood vessels at the placental site after delivery.
Choice B rationale
A history of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, is not recognized as an independent risk factor for increasing the likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. The physiological mechanisms leading to PPH are primarily related to uterine function, trauma, or coagulation disorders, which HPV infection does not directly influence.
Choice C rationale
A history of uterine atony in a previous pregnancy significantly increases the risk for recurrence in subsequent deliveries because it suggests an underlying predisposition for the myometrium to fail its contractile function. Uterine atony prevents the spiral arteries from being compressed, leading to excessive blood loss, which defines postpartum hemorrhage.
Choice D rationale
The average newborn weight in Western populations is approximately 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), with a normal range generally considered between 2.5 kg and 4.0 kg. A newborn weight of 2.948 kg (6 lb 8 oz) is within the normal range and does not constitute a risk factor for PPH, unlike macrosomia (birth weight > 4000 g or 8 lb 13 oz) which overdistends the uterus.
Choice E rationale
Vacuum-assisted delivery, a form of operative vaginal delivery, increases the risk of PPH primarily due to associated genital tract trauma (e.g., cervical, vaginal, or perineal lacerations) and potentially compounding the risk of uterine atony from prolonged labor or necessary manual maneuvers. Trauma contributes to bleeding that is non-uterine in origin.
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