A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor.

Which of the following findings is a risk factor for pre-term labor?

History of urinary tract infections

Maternal age of 25 years

Singleton pregnancy

Cervical length of 3 cm

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

History of urinary tract infections. According to the Mayo Clinic, untreated vaginal infections, such as urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted infections, are risk factors for preterm labor.

These infections can cause inflammation and irritation of the cervix, which can trigger contractions and cervical dilation.

Choice B is wrong because maternal age of 25 years is not a risk factor for preterm labor. In fact, women younger than 18 or older than 35 are more likely to have a preterm delivery.

Choice C is wrong because singleton pregnancy is not a risk factor for preterm labor. On the contrary, being pregnant with twins, triplets, or more (called "multiple gestations") is associated with a higher risk of preterm labor and birth.

Choice D is wrong because cervical length of 3 cm is not a risk factor for preterm labor. A short cervix (less than 2.5 cm) or a cervix that shortens in the second trimester instead of the third trimester is a risk factor for preterm delivery. A normal cervical length ranges from 3 to 5 cm during pregnancy.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Cervix is shortened and thinned.This indicates cervical effacement, which is the thinning and softening of the cervix in preparation for childbirth.Cervical effacement is measured in percentages, from 0% (no effacement) to 100% (fully effaced).

Choice A is wrong because cervix is soft and pliable does not necessarily mean it is effaced.The cervix can soften before it thins and shortens.

Choice C is wrong because cervix is dilated and open indicates cervical dilation, which is the opening of the cervix.Cervical dilation is measured in centimeters, from 0 cm (closed) to 10 cm (fully dilated).

Cervical dilation and effacement are related, but not the same.

Choice D is wrong because cervix is posterior and high indicates the position of the cervix in relation to the vagina.The cervix can move from posterior (back) to anterior (front) and from high to low as labor progresses.

The position of the cervix does not indicate effacement.

A. Administering intravenous fluids B. Administering tocolytics C. Administering corticosteroids D. Administering antibiotics

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Tocolytics are a category of drugs used to delay the labor process.These may be used in situations when a pregnant person begins showing signs of preterm labor —which is any time before 37 weeks of completed pregnancy.Tocolytics may help delay labor by two to seven days.

Some possible explanations for the other choices are:

• Choice A. Administering intravenous fluids.

This is not a correct answer because intravenous fluids are not effective in suppressing uterine contractions.They may be used to correct dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, which can sometimes trigger preterm labor, but they are not a primary intervention for preterm labor.

• Choice C. Administering corticosteroids.

This is not a correct answer because corticosteroids are not tocolytics.They do not stop or slow down uterine contractions, but they help accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and other complications of prematurity.

Corticosteroids are often given along with tocolytics, but they have a different function and mechanism of action.

• Choice D. Administering antibiotics.

This is not a correct answer because antibiotics are not tocolytics.They may be used to treat infections that can cause or complicate preterm labor, such as chorioamnionitis or group B streptococcus, but they do not directly affect uterine contractions.

Antibiotics may be given along with tocolytics, but they have a different function.

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A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following findings is a risk factor for pre-term labor?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is performing a digital examination on a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following findings indicates cervical effacement?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor.

Which of the following findings is a risk factor for pre-term labor?