A client is receiving (Pitocin) oxytocin to induce labor. The nurse should monitor for which of the following adverse maternal effects?

A. The cervix is effacing and dilated to 2 cm. Cervical changes, including effacement and dilation, are the most definitive signs of preterm labor. Uterine contractions alone do not confirm preterm labor unless they result in cervical dilation, indicating that labor is progressing.

B. Irregular, mild uterine contractions are occurring every 15-30 minutes. Irregular contractions, known as Braxton Hicks contractions, can be common in pregnancy and do not necessarily indicate preterm labor. True preterm labor involves regular contractions that lead to cervical changes.

C. Estriol is not found in maternal saliva. The absence of estriol in maternal saliva does not confirm or rule out preterm labor. Salivary estriol testing is not a widely used or reliable diagnostic tool for determining the onset of preterm labor.

D. Fetal fibronectin is present in vaginal secretion. Fetal fibronectin (fFN) is a protein found in vaginal secretions between 22-34 weeks of pregnancy and can indicate a risk of preterm labor, but its presence alone does not confirm that labor is actively occurring. A positive fFN test means the patient may be at increased risk for preterm labor, but cervical changes remain the best indicator of actual labor.

A. Midplane contracture of the pelvis. Pelvic contractures can lead to dystocia by restricting the fetal head's descent. A midplane contracture narrows the pelvic midsection, making labor prolonged and difficult. This is a common cause of dystocia.

B. Disproportion of the pelvis. Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), where the fetal head is too large for the maternal pelvis, is a well-known cause of dystocia. It often results in prolonged labor, failure to progress, and the need for cesarean delivery.

C. Low-lying placenta. A low-lying placenta does not directly cause dystocia. Instead, it may lead to placenta previa, which often requires cesarean delivery before labor even begins. Since it does not typically cause prolonged or difficult labor, it is the least common cause of dystocia.

D. Compromised bearing-down efforts as a result of pain medication. Excessive pain medication, especially epidurals or narcotics, can weaken maternal pushing efforts, leading to prolonged second-stage labor. This is a recognized cause of dystocia, particularly in multiparous women.