MATERNITY AND PEDIATRICS EXAM #17 WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
When determining the frequency of contractions, the nurse would measure which of the
following?
A. Start of one contraction to the start of next contraction
B. Beginning of one contraction to the end of the same contraction
C. Peak of one contraction to the peak of the next contraction
D. End of one contraction to the beginning of the next contraction - correct answer A.
Frequency is measured by the start of one contraction to the start of the next one.
Which fetal lie is most conducive to a spontaneous vaginal birth?
A. Transverse
B. Longitudinal
C. Perpendicular
D. Oblique - correct answer B. Longitudinal - places fetus in a vertical position
Which of the following observations would suggest that placental separation is
occuring?
A. Uterus stops contracting altogether
B. Umbilical cord pulsations stop
C. Uterine shape changes to globular
D. Maternal blood pressure drops - correct answer C. After the placenta separates from
the uterine wall, the shape of the uterus changes from discoid to globular.
As the nurse is explaining the difference between true versus false labor to her
childbirth class, she states that the major difference between them is:
A. Discomfort level is greater with false labor
B. Progressive cervical changes occur in true labor
C. There is a feeling of nausea with false labor
D. There is more fetal movement with true labor - correct answer B. Progressive
cervical changes occur in true labor, not in false labor.
The shortest but most intense phase of labor is the:
A. Latent phase
B. Active phase
C. Transition phase
D. Placental expulsion phase - correct answer C. Transition phase. Is when contractions
are 1-2 min apart and the final dilation is taking place.
A laboring woman is admitted to the labor and birth suite at 6 cm dilation. She would be
in which phase of the first stage of labor?
A. Latent
B. Active
C. Transition
, D. Early - correct answer B. Active. In this stage the cervix dilates from 3-7cm with 40-
80% effacement occurring.
Which assessment would indicate that a woman is in true labor?
A. Membranes are ruptures and fluid is clear.
B. Presenting part is engaged and not floating
C. Cervix is 4 cm dilated, 90% effeced.
D. Contractions last 30 seconds every 5-10 min. - correct answer D. True labor is
characterized by contractions occurring at regular intervals that increase in frequency,
duration, and intensity
Interventions that are underutilized in promoting a normal birth. Select all that apply.
A. Oral nutrition and fluids in labor.
B. Open glottis pushing in the second stage of labor.
C. Skin-to-skin contact after birth for infant bonding.
D.Routine artificial rupture of membranes (amniotomy)
E. Labor induction with Pitocin given intravenously
F. Routine episiotomy to shorten labor length - correct answer "A," "B,"and "C" since all
of these are evidence-based interventions that are physiologically sound without placing
the mother or the neonate in any danger. Food and clear fluids provide hydration and
nutrition and give comfort to laboring women. Fasting during labor will increase gastric
acid production. Open glottis while pushing allows the woman's body to sense the urge
to push naturally. Skin-to-skin contact promotes mother-infant bonding and warmth.
Physiologic preparation for labor would be demonstrated by:
A. Decrease in Braxton Hicks contractions felt by mother
B. Weight gain and increase in appetite by mother
C. Lightening, whereby the fetus drops into true pelvis
D. Fetal heart rate accelerations and increased movements - correct answer C" since as
labor nears, the fetus gets into position by descending into the maternal true pelvis in
preparation for birth.
The cardinal movements of labor include which of the following? Select all that apply.
A. Extension and rotation
B. Descent and engagement
C. Presentation and position
D. Attitude and lie
E. Flexion and expulsion - correct answer A. Extension and rotation
B. Descent and engagement
E. Flexion and expulsion
When a client in labor is fully dilated, which instruction would be most effective to assist
her in encouraging effective pushing?
A. Hold your breath and push through entire contraction.
B. Use chest-breathing with the contraction.
C. Pant and blow during each contraction.
SOLUTIONS
When determining the frequency of contractions, the nurse would measure which of the
following?
A. Start of one contraction to the start of next contraction
B. Beginning of one contraction to the end of the same contraction
C. Peak of one contraction to the peak of the next contraction
D. End of one contraction to the beginning of the next contraction - correct answer A.
Frequency is measured by the start of one contraction to the start of the next one.
Which fetal lie is most conducive to a spontaneous vaginal birth?
A. Transverse
B. Longitudinal
C. Perpendicular
D. Oblique - correct answer B. Longitudinal - places fetus in a vertical position
Which of the following observations would suggest that placental separation is
occuring?
A. Uterus stops contracting altogether
B. Umbilical cord pulsations stop
C. Uterine shape changes to globular
D. Maternal blood pressure drops - correct answer C. After the placenta separates from
the uterine wall, the shape of the uterus changes from discoid to globular.
As the nurse is explaining the difference between true versus false labor to her
childbirth class, she states that the major difference between them is:
A. Discomfort level is greater with false labor
B. Progressive cervical changes occur in true labor
C. There is a feeling of nausea with false labor
D. There is more fetal movement with true labor - correct answer B. Progressive
cervical changes occur in true labor, not in false labor.
The shortest but most intense phase of labor is the:
A. Latent phase
B. Active phase
C. Transition phase
D. Placental expulsion phase - correct answer C. Transition phase. Is when contractions
are 1-2 min apart and the final dilation is taking place.
A laboring woman is admitted to the labor and birth suite at 6 cm dilation. She would be
in which phase of the first stage of labor?
A. Latent
B. Active
C. Transition
, D. Early - correct answer B. Active. In this stage the cervix dilates from 3-7cm with 40-
80% effacement occurring.
Which assessment would indicate that a woman is in true labor?
A. Membranes are ruptures and fluid is clear.
B. Presenting part is engaged and not floating
C. Cervix is 4 cm dilated, 90% effeced.
D. Contractions last 30 seconds every 5-10 min. - correct answer D. True labor is
characterized by contractions occurring at regular intervals that increase in frequency,
duration, and intensity
Interventions that are underutilized in promoting a normal birth. Select all that apply.
A. Oral nutrition and fluids in labor.
B. Open glottis pushing in the second stage of labor.
C. Skin-to-skin contact after birth for infant bonding.
D.Routine artificial rupture of membranes (amniotomy)
E. Labor induction with Pitocin given intravenously
F. Routine episiotomy to shorten labor length - correct answer "A," "B,"and "C" since all
of these are evidence-based interventions that are physiologically sound without placing
the mother or the neonate in any danger. Food and clear fluids provide hydration and
nutrition and give comfort to laboring women. Fasting during labor will increase gastric
acid production. Open glottis while pushing allows the woman's body to sense the urge
to push naturally. Skin-to-skin contact promotes mother-infant bonding and warmth.
Physiologic preparation for labor would be demonstrated by:
A. Decrease in Braxton Hicks contractions felt by mother
B. Weight gain and increase in appetite by mother
C. Lightening, whereby the fetus drops into true pelvis
D. Fetal heart rate accelerations and increased movements - correct answer C" since as
labor nears, the fetus gets into position by descending into the maternal true pelvis in
preparation for birth.
The cardinal movements of labor include which of the following? Select all that apply.
A. Extension and rotation
B. Descent and engagement
C. Presentation and position
D. Attitude and lie
E. Flexion and expulsion - correct answer A. Extension and rotation
B. Descent and engagement
E. Flexion and expulsion
When a client in labor is fully dilated, which instruction would be most effective to assist
her in encouraging effective pushing?
A. Hold your breath and push through entire contraction.
B. Use chest-breathing with the contraction.
C. Pant and blow during each contraction.
