A patient has just spontaneously ruptured her membranes. Which of the following factors makes her especially high risk for having a prolapsed cord? Select all that apply.
Occiput anterior position.
Breech presentation.
Cervical dilation 5 cm.
Station-4.
Correct Answer : B,D
A. Occiput anterior position. The occiput anterior (OA) position is the ideal fetal position for vaginal delivery, where the baby’s head is well-engaged in the pelvis. This positioning reduces the risk of a prolapsed cord since the presenting part (the fetal head) effectively blocks the cord from slipping through.
B. Breech presentation. In a breech presentation, the buttocks or feet are the presenting part, leaving more space in the birth canal. This increases the risk of cord prolapse, especially if the feet or buttocks do not fully block the cervix, allowing the umbilical cord to slip past and become compressed.
C. Cervical dilation 5 cm. While cervical dilation is important in labor progression, it does not directly increase the risk of cord prolapse. The risk is more dependent on fetal position and station rather than the degree of cervical dilation.
D. Station -4. A high fetal station (e.g., -4) means the baby’s presenting part has not yet descended into the pelvis, leaving more room for the umbilical cord to slip through once the membranes rupture. A well-engaged fetus at station 0 or lower helps prevent prolapse by blocking the cervix.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
A. Do you have any headaches or blurry vision? Headaches and blurry vision are common neurological symptoms of preeclampsia. These occur due to cerebral edema and hypertension-related vascular changes. Persistent headaches or visual disturbances (such as seeing spots or flashing lights) warrant further evaluation.
B. I am going to check your reflexes now. Hyperreflexia (brisk deep tendon reflexes) is a key neurological sign of worsening preeclampsia. Severe hyperreflexia can indicate impending eclampsia and increased seizure risk. Checking for clonus (involuntary rhythmic muscle contractions) is also important.
C. Have you been having trouble with urinary incontinence? Urinary incontinence is not a sign of preeclampsia. However, decreased urine output (oliguria) would be concerning as it may indicate worsening renal impairment, but incontinence itself is unrelated.
D. Do you have any right upper quadrant pain? Right upper quadrant or epigastric pain is a concerning sign of liver involvement in severe preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. It occurs due to liver swelling and can be a precursor to serious complications such as hepatic rupture.
E. Have you had any nausea or vomiting recently? While nausea and vomiting are common in pregnancy, they are not defining symptoms of preeclampsia unless they are sudden and severe. If present in the third trimester, they may suggest worsening disease, but they are not primary indicators.
F. Do you feel safe at home? Screening for domestic violence is important in pregnancy, but it is not a diagnostic question for preeclampsia. While stress and abuse can impact blood pressure, this question does not help in determining preeclampsia.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. 2+ Deep Tendon Reflexes. A 2+ deep tendon reflex is considered normal and does not indicate worsening preeclampsia. Severe preeclampsia is often associated with hyperreflexia, typically 3+ or 4+, which can signal worsening central nervous system involvement and an increased risk for seizures.
B. Platelets of 20,000. A platelet count of 20,000 is dangerously low and suggests the development of HELLP syndrome, a severe complication of preeclampsia that includes hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. This condition increases the risk of spontaneous bleeding and requires immediate medical intervention.
C. Urine output of 75 ml per hour. A urine output of 75 mL per hour is adequate and does not indicate worsening kidney function. In severe preeclampsia, oliguria (urine output less than 30 mL per hour) is a more concerning sign, as it suggests impaired renal perfusion and possible acute kidney injury.
D. 1+ Proteinuria. While proteinuria is a key feature of preeclampsia, a 1+ reading is mild and not necessarily indicative of worsening disease. Severe preeclampsia is typically associated with proteinuria of 3+ or higher, along with other symptoms such as hypertension, headache, and visual disturbances.
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