A nurse is caring for a newborn who is small for gestational age. Which of the following findings is associated with this condition?

The correct answer is Choice D: Contraction lasting 85 seconds.

Choice A rationale: A contraction resting period of 35 seconds is normal and expected during labor. The resting period allows the uterine muscle to relax and replenish its oxygen supply, which is essential for fetal well-being. The resting period also gives the client a chance to rest and cope with the pain of labor. A normal resting period ranges from 30 to 90 seconds, depending on the stage and phase of labor¹².

Choice B rationale: A heart rate of 100/min for a 10-min period is within the normal range for an adult. The normal resting heart rate for an adult is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm)³. During labor, the heart rate may increase due to factors such as pain, anxiety, dehydration, fever, or infection. However, a heart rate of 100/min is not considered a sign of distress or complication, unless it is accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations⁴⁵.

Choice C rationale: Four contractions in a 10-min period is a normal frequency for labor contractions. The frequency of contractions refers to how often they occur, measured from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next. The normal frequency of contractions varies depending on the stage and phase of labor, but generally ranges from two to five contractions in 10 minutes¹².

Choice D rationale: A contraction lasting 85 seconds is too long and should be reported to the provider. The duration of contractions refers to how long they last, measured from the beginning to the end of one contraction. The normal duration of contractions ranges from 30 to 70 seconds, depending on the stage and phase of labor¹². A contraction lasting longer than 90 seconds is considered a prolonged contraction, which can reduce the blood flow and oxygen supply to the placenta and the fetus, leading to fetal hypoxia and acidosis. Prolonged contractions can also cause uterine rupture, placental abruption, or maternal hemorrhage .

Choice A rationale: Auscultating fetal heart tones in the right upper quadrant is not appropriate based on the information provided by Leopold maneuvers, which indicates the fetal back is on the right side of the mother's abdomen, and the fetal head is in the fundal portion of the uterus.
Choice B rationale: During Leopold maneuvers, the nurse palpated a round, firm, movable part in the fundal portion of the uterus. This finding corresponds to the fetal head, which is typically located at the top of the uterus (fundus). Additionally, the nurse palpated a long, smooth surface on the mother's right side. This finding indicates the fetal back, which typically lies along the right side of the mother's abdomen, suggesting that the fetus's back is positioned anteriorly (toward the mother's front). The location of the fetal heart is typically best heard over the back of the fetus. Therefore, the nurse should auscultate the fetal heart tones in the maternal quadrant corresponding to the back of the fetus, which is the left lower quadrant.
Choice C rationale: The information from Leopold maneuvers does not indicate the fetal back is in the right lower quadrant. The nurse should not auscultate fetal heart tones in this area.
Choice D rationale: Auscultating fetal heart tones in the left upper quadrant is not appropriate based on the information provided by Leopold maneuvers, which indicates the fetal head is in the fundal portion of the uterus and the fetal back is on the right side of the mother's abdomen. The fetal heart is usually best heard over the back of the fetus, which is not in the left upper quadrant.