A nurse is caring for a client who presents to a labor and delivery unit experiencing rapidly progressing labor. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?
Apply perineal pressure to the emerging fetal head
Cut the umbilical cord
Prevent the perineum from tearing
Promote delivery of the placenta
The Correct Answer is A
A. Correct. In rapidly progressing labor, applying gentle perineal pressure helps control the speed of delivery and can prevent or minimize perineal tearing or lacerations. It also helps to manage the delivery of the fetal head, especially in cases where the labor is very rapid which can cause neurologic damage (increased intracranial pressure and dural/subdural tearing).
B. Cutting the umbilical cord is not the priority in this situation. The focus should be on the immediate management of the delivery process and preventing complications related to perineal tearing.
C. Preventing the perineum from tearing: While preventing the perineum from tearing is important, it is not the immediate priority in the context of rapidly progressing labor. The primary focus should be on safely delivering the baby, which involves controlling the delivery of the fetal head to prevent complications.
D. Promoting the delivery of the placenta is a consideration for the third stage of labor, which follows the delivery of the baby. It is not the priority during the active phase of delivery.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is B. Uteroplacental insufficiency.
A. Umbilical cord compression is more commonly associated with variable decelerations, not late decelerations. Variable decelerations are characterized by abrupt decreases and increases in the fetal heart rate.
B. Late decelerations are indicative of uteroplacental insufficiency.
Uteroplacental insufficiency refers to a decrease in blood flow and oxygen supply from the mother to the fetus. Late decelerations occur after the peak of the contraction and may suggest inadequate oxygenation to the fetus.
C. Fetal head compression is associated with early decelerations, not late decelerations. Early decelerations typically coincide with the contractions and are considered a normal response to head compression during contractions.
D. Maternal bradycardia is not typically associated with late decelerations. Late decelerations are primarily related to issues with oxygenation and blood flow to the fetus.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Frank breech position
A. In a frank breech presentation, the baby's buttocks are the presenting part. When the nurse locates fetal heart tones above the client's umbilicus at midline during active labor, it is indicative of a breech presentation, and the frank breech position is one possibility.
B. In a cephalic presentation, which is the most common and ideal position for childbirth, the fetal head is the presenting part, and the fetal heart tones would typically be heard below the umbilicus.
C. In a posterior position, the back of the baby's head is against the mother's spine. Fetal heart tones in this position would be typically heard below the umbilicus.
D. In a transverse lie, the baby is positioned horizontally across the uterus. Fetal heart tones may be heard laterally in this position, not necessarily above the umbilicus at midline.
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