The nurse is discussing a patient’s vaccination history at her 32-week gestation appointment.

The nurse knows that her teaching has been effective when the patient states:

Choice A rationale
Uterine contractions (powers) are essential for cervical dilation and fetal descent. They are involuntary smooth muscle contractions regulated by oxytocin and prostaglandins.
Choice B rationale
The fetus (passenger) significantly influences labor progression. Fetal size, position, and presentation affect the ease of passage through the birth canal.
Choice C rationale
Pressure is not considered one of the five Ps affecting labor and birth. The five Ps are powers, passenger, passageway, position, and psychological response.
Choice D rationale
The birth canal (passageway) includes the bony pelvis and soft tissues, which must adapt to allow the fetus to pass through during labor.

Choice A rationale
Meconium is produced by the fetal intestines. The intestines start to form meconium around the 16th week of gestation. Meconium is composed of shed cells, mucus, amniotic fluid, bile, and lanugo.
Choice B rationale
The placenta does not produce meconium. Its primary functions include nutrient transfer, gas exchange, and waste elimination, but it does not have the structures necessary for the production of meconium.
Choice C rationale
Amniotic fluid does not produce meconium. Amniotic fluid surrounds and protects the fetus but does not contain the components needed to create meconium. Instead, the fetus swallows and then excretes it into the intestines.
Choice D rationale
Fetal kidneys are responsible for filtering waste and producing urine, but they do not produce meconium. The production of meconium is a function of the intestines, not the kidneys.