The nurse is caring for a pregnant woman who is HIV positive. While teaching her about the use of antiretroviral drugs, the nurse explains that these medications will

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.

A. There is progressive resistance to the effects of insulin. During pregnancy, placental hormones (such as human placental lactogen, estrogen, and progesterone) cause increasing insulin resistance. This ensures that glucose remains available for fetal growth. However, in gestational diabetes, the pancreas cannot compensate with increased insulin production, leading to hyperglycemia.

B. Pregnancy fosters the development of carbohydrate cravings. While some pregnant individuals experience cravings, this is not a defining cause of gestational diabetes. The condition results from hormonal changes leading to insulin resistance, not dietary habits alone.

C. Hypoinsulinemia develops early in the first trimester. Gestational diabetes is not caused by a deficiency of insulin (hypoinsulinemia) but by insulin resistance. In fact, insulin production often increases, but it is insufficient to overcome the resistance caused by placental hormones.

D. Glucose levels decrease to accommodate fetal growth. In a normal pregnancy, glucose levels remain stable, and the fetus actively takes glucose from maternal circulation. However, in gestational diabetes, maternal glucose levels rise due to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of fetal overgrowth (macrosomia).