Intrapartum Nursing: Labor and Delivery Flashcards
6 cards from real Maternal Newborn Nursing Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Intrapartum Nursing: Labor and Delivery flashcards as text
A nurse is monitoring a client receiving epidural analgesia in labor. Which complication should the nurse assess for most closely?
Answer: Maternal hypotension
Epidural analgesia causes vasodilation, which can precipitate maternal hypotension, reducing uteroplacental blood flow and causing fetal heart rate decelerations.
The nurse assesses a client 30 minutes after epidural placement and notes the blood pressure has dropped from 118/72 to 88/52 mmHg. What is the priority intervention?
Answer: Increase IV fluid infusion rate and reposition to left lateral position
Epidural-induced hypotension is treated first with IV fluid bolus and left lateral positioning to displace the uterus off the vena cava and restore venous return.
Which finding on a biophysical profile (BPP) is considered reassuring?
Answer: Score of 8 out of 10 with two or more breathing movements, tone, movement, and reactive NST
A BPP score of 8–10 is reassuring; each component (breathing, movement, tone, amniotic fluid, NST) earns 2 points when present, indicating fetal well-being.
During delivery, the nurse observes a tight nuchal cord. What is the most appropriate first action?
Answer: Attempt to slip the cord over the fetal head or perform a somersault maneuver
A nuchal cord should first be managed by slipping it over the fetal head; if too tight, the somersault maneuver allows delivery without clamping and cutting.
A client has been pushing for 2 hours with no fetal descent. The provider plans an operative vaginal delivery. Which item should the nurse prepare?
Answer: Vacuum extractor or forceps, along with neonatal resuscitation equipment
Operative vaginal delivery uses vacuum extraction or forceps; the nurse must prepare the appropriate instrument and ensure neonatal resuscitation equipment is ready for potential birth trauma.
What is the cardinal movement of fetal descent in which the fetal head rotates 45 degrees to align the occiput with the pubic symphysis?
Answer: Internal rotation
Internal rotation aligns the longest diameter of the fetal head with the longest diameter of the pelvic outlet, positioning the occiput anterior under the pubic symphysis for delivery.