Mixed Deck — All CMA Topics Flashcards

Confidentiality of patient health information is governed in the US primarily by:

Answer: HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

HIPAA establishes federal standards for protecting the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information in the United States.

A nurse observes a laboring patient on oxytocin has 6 contractions in 10 minutes. The appropriate action is to:

Answer: Decrease or discontinue oxytocin and notify the provider

Tachysystole (>5 contractions in 10 minutes) requires oxytocin reduction or discontinuation to prevent uteroplacental insufficiency and fetal distress.

Which skill is essential when assisting with neonatal resuscitation?

Answer: Bag-mask ventilation

Bag-mask ventilation is a fundamental and often life-saving skill in neonatal resuscitation. If a newborn is not breathing effectively or has a very low heart rate, providing positive pressure ventilation with a bag and mask can quickly deliver oxygen to the lungs. This intervention is crucial for improving oxygenation and stimulating breathing in distressed newborns.

Pregnant women should avoid which type of fish due to high mercury content?

Answer: Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish

The FDA advises pregnant women to avoid high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, bigeye tuna) due to risk of fetal neurological damage.

Chorioamnionitis is an infection of which structures?

Answer: The placenta and fetal membranes

Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the chorion, amnion, and amniotic fluid, often caused by ascending bacteria from the vagina.

Which phase of the menstrual cycle is characterized by endometrial thickening under estrogen influence?

Answer: Proliferative phase

The proliferative phase occurs after menstruation when rising estrogen causes the endometrium to thicken and regenerate.

Abandonment of a patient in active labor by a CMA would constitute:

Answer: An ethical and legal violation that endangers patient safety

Leaving a patient in active labor without ensuring safe handoff to a qualified provider constitutes patient abandonment, which is both legally and ethically prohibited.

Which ligament provides the primary support to the uterus by anchoring it to the lateral pelvic wall?

Answer: Cardinal (Mackenrodt's) ligament

The cardinal (Mackenrodt's) ligament is the main structural support of the uterus, connecting it to the lateral pelvic walls.

A Certified Midwife Assistant's (CMA) scope of practice is best defined as:

Answer: Assisting a licensed midwife or provider within defined competencies and under supervision

A CMA works within a defined scope under the supervision or direction of a licensed midwife or healthcare provider, supporting rather than independently practicing.

A maternal fever during labor is defined as a temperature at or above:

Answer: 38.0°C (100.4°F)

Intrapartum fever is defined as a single temperature ≥38.0°C (100.4°F), which warrants assessment for infection including chorioamnionitis.

When should the first newborn bath typically be given?

Answer: After 24 hours

Current recommendations suggest delaying the first newborn bath until at least 24 hours after birth, or even longer if culturally appropriate. This delay allows the vernix caseosa, a protective waxy coating, to remain on the baby's skin, providing natural moisturizing and antibacterial benefits. It also helps stabilize the newborn's temperature and blood glucose levels.

What equipment should be readily available in case of newborn respiratory distress?

Answer: Oxygen and resuscitation bag

In cases of newborn respiratory distress, having oxygen and a resuscitation bag readily available is paramount. Oxygen can be administered to improve saturation, and a resuscitation bag (bag-mask device) is used to provide positive pressure ventilation if the newborn is not breathing adequately. These tools are essential for immediate intervention to support the baby's breathing.

A sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern is most commonly associated with:

Answer: Severe fetal anemia or hypoxia

A sinusoidal pattern — a smooth, regular, sine wave-like FHR — is an ominous finding strongly associated with severe fetal anemia or hypoxia requiring urgent evaluation.

What is the primary function of the corpus luteum after ovulation?

Answer: Produce progesterone to support early pregnancy

The corpus luteum secretes progesterone to maintain the endometrial lining until the placenta takes over at about 10 weeks.

Which tocolytic medication works by blocking calcium channels to inhibit uterine contractions?

Answer: Nifedipine

Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, reduces uterine contractility by preventing calcium influx into myometrial cells.

Heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux) is common during pregnancy due to which physiological change?

Answer: Progesterone-induced relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and uterine pressure

Progesterone relaxes smooth muscle including the lower esophageal sphincter, while the expanding uterus increases intra-abdominal pressure, promoting acid reflux.

Which substance is completely contraindicated throughout pregnancy due to increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and fetal alcohol syndrome?

Answer: Alcohol

There is no established safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy; alcohol causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and increases risks of miscarriage and stillbirth.

Standard precautions in a birth setting require that blood and amniotic fluid be treated as:

Answer: Potentially infectious for all patients regardless of diagnosis

Standard precautions require all blood and body fluids be treated as potentially infectious for every patient, regardless of known status.

Rupture of membranes (ROM) lasting more than how many hours significantly increases infection risk?

Answer: 24 hours

Prolonged ROM exceeding 18–24 hours significantly increases the risk of chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis due to ascending bacterial colonization.

What is the main goal of immediate postpartum support?

Answer: Monitor maternal vitals and bonding

Immediate postpartum support focuses on ensuring the mother's physiological stability and promoting the crucial bond with her newborn. Monitoring maternal vital signs helps detect potential complications like hemorrhage or infection early. Facilitating skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding encourages bonding, which is vital for both maternal and infant well-being.