During a vaginal delivery the midwife tells you that a shoulder dystocia has occurred. Which of the following initial nursing actions is appropriate at this time?
Apply Oxygen
Increase IV Pitocin
Apply downward pressure on the woman's fundus
Flex the woman's thighs sharply toward her abdomen
The Correct Answer is D
A. Apply oxygen. While oxygen may be administered if fetal distress is present, it does not directly resolve shoulder dystocia, which is a mechanical issue requiring immediate positional maneuvers to free the impacted shoulder.
B. Increase IV Pitocin. Increasing oxytocin (Pitocin) is contraindicated in shoulder dystocia because it can cause stronger contractions, worsening the impaction and increasing the risk of fetal injury or uterine rupture.
C. Apply downward pressure on the woman's fundus. Fundal pressure should never be applied in shoulder dystocia, as it can further wedge the fetal shoulder against the pubic bone, increasing the risk of brachial plexus injury and fetal distress.
D. Flex the woman's thighs sharply toward her abdomen. The McRoberts maneuver, which involves sharply flexing the mother’s thighs to widen the pelvic outlet, is the first-line intervention for shoulder dystocia. This maneuver helps rotate the pelvis and reposition the fetal shoulder, increasing the chances of a successful vaginal delivery.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Oral hypoglycemic medications. While some oral hypoglycemic agents, such as metformin or glyburide, are used in gestational diabetes, the first-line treatment is always dietary modification and exercise. Medications are only introduced if blood glucose levels remain uncontrolled with lifestyle changes.
B. Diet control and exercise. The initial treatment for gestational diabetes focuses on controlling blood glucose through dietary adjustments, portion control, and regular physical activity. If lifestyle modifications fail to maintain glucose levels within the target range, insulin or oral medications may be introduced.
C. Inhaled insulin. Inhaled insulin is not commonly used in pregnancy because its safety and efficacy for gestational diabetes have not been well established. Insulin therapy, if needed, is typically administered via subcutaneous injection rather than inhalation.
D. Regular insulin injections. Insulin therapy is considered if diet and exercise alone fail to control blood glucose levels. However, it is not the first-line treatment, as many women can successfully manage gestational diabetes without requiring insulin therapy.
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
A. Pitocin. Pitocin (oxytocin) is the primary medication used for labor induction. It stimulates uterine contractions to initiate or augment labor. It is given intravenously (IV) and carefully titrated to avoid complications like uterine tachysystole and fetal distress.
B. Methergine. Methergine (methylergonovine) is not used for labor induction. It is a uterotonic medication used postpartum to prevent or treat postpartum hemorrhage by causing sustained uterine contractions. It is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the risk of excessive uterine contractions and hypertension.
C. Misoprostol. Misoprostol (Cytotec) is a prostaglandin used for cervical ripening and labor induction. It is administered vaginally or orally to soften the cervix and stimulate contractions before starting Pitocin. It is commonly used in women with an unfavorable cervix.
D. Magnesium Sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is not used for labor induction. It is primarily used for seizure prevention in preeclampsia/eclampsia and to stop preterm labor (tocolysis). It actually relaxes the uterus, which is the opposite of what is needed for induction.
E. Betamethasone. Betamethasone is a corticosteroid used to accelerate fetal lung maturity in preterm labor (before 34 weeks). It has no role in labor induction.
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