NURS 1230 Week 2 UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. Changes in maternal estrogen -> estrogen (increases), progesterone (decreases)
Higher levels of estrogen enhance uterine sensitivity to substances that stimulate contractions,
lower levels of progesterone causes release of prostaglandins = uterine contractions
2. Prostaglandin secretion -> Prostaglandins are released from placenta (forebag). Increase of
prostaglandins d/t pressure of fetus on cervix
3. Increased secretion of oxytocin -> uterine contractions
4. Oxytocin receptors increase -> more responsive to oxytocin
5. Fetal role -> fetal membranes release high concentration of prostaglandins, large amount of
fetal cortisol secreted by fetal adrenal glands = uterine stimulant
6. Stretching, pressure, and irritation of the uterus -> (at term) fetal head stretches the cervix
causing fundus to contract, pushing the head against the cervix causing more contractions.
Cervical stretching also cause release of oxytocin - CORRECT ANSWER - what are the
labor theories?
Braxton Hicks contractions (practice contraction) muscles of uterus tighten briefly
Lightening - baby settles/drops lower into maternal pelvis
Increase in clear and non-irritating vaginal secretions
"Bloody show"
Energy spurt (nesting)
Small weight loss
Urinary frequency
-The conclusive difference between true and false labor is
progressive effacement and dilation of the cervix. - CORRECT ANSWER - What are the
premonitory signs of labor? How can we tell the difference between true and false labor?
First stage - The time of the onset of true labor until the cervix is completely dilated to 10 cm
Latent phase -> onset - 3 cms
, Active phase -> 4-7 cms
Transition phase -> 8-10 cms
Second stage - The period after the cervix is dilated to 10 cm until the baby is delivered
Third stage - Delivery of the placenta
Fourth stage - Begins with delivery of the placenta and ends 4 hours after delivery - CORRECT
ANSWER - What are the 4 stages of labor and what happens during each stage?
Uterine contractions - during the first phase of labor (onset to dilatation) primary force pushing
fetus through the maternal pelvis
Maternal pushing efforts - during the second phase of labor (dilation to birth) woman uses
voluntary pushing efforts to propel fetus through pelvis - CORRECT ANSWER - What
are the 2 powers of labor? During which phase does each happen in?
The relationship of fetal parts to each other, the posture of the fetus; flexion, deflexion, extension
- CORRECT ANSWER - What is fetal attitude?
Part of the fetus that lies closest to or has entered the pelvis and it is described as cephalic,
breech, or shoulder - CORRECT ANSWER - What is fetal presentation?
The relationship of the presenting part to the maternal pelvis and it is described as anterior,
posterior, or transverse; right occipitoposterior, right occipitotransverse, right occipitoanterior,
same with left for all 3 - CORRECT ANSWER - What is fetal position?
-ability to cope with labor pain
-catecholamines - CORRECT ANSWER - Psyche - The state of the mother's psyche is a
crucial aspect of childbirth.
Marked anxiety, fear, or fatigue decreases a woman's what?
Maternal what are secreted in response to anxiety or fear to help cope with these emotions?
Relaxation augments (increases) the natural process of labor
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. Changes in maternal estrogen -> estrogen (increases), progesterone (decreases)
Higher levels of estrogen enhance uterine sensitivity to substances that stimulate contractions,
lower levels of progesterone causes release of prostaglandins = uterine contractions
2. Prostaglandin secretion -> Prostaglandins are released from placenta (forebag). Increase of
prostaglandins d/t pressure of fetus on cervix
3. Increased secretion of oxytocin -> uterine contractions
4. Oxytocin receptors increase -> more responsive to oxytocin
5. Fetal role -> fetal membranes release high concentration of prostaglandins, large amount of
fetal cortisol secreted by fetal adrenal glands = uterine stimulant
6. Stretching, pressure, and irritation of the uterus -> (at term) fetal head stretches the cervix
causing fundus to contract, pushing the head against the cervix causing more contractions.
Cervical stretching also cause release of oxytocin - CORRECT ANSWER - what are the
labor theories?
Braxton Hicks contractions (practice contraction) muscles of uterus tighten briefly
Lightening - baby settles/drops lower into maternal pelvis
Increase in clear and non-irritating vaginal secretions
"Bloody show"
Energy spurt (nesting)
Small weight loss
Urinary frequency
-The conclusive difference between true and false labor is
progressive effacement and dilation of the cervix. - CORRECT ANSWER - What are the
premonitory signs of labor? How can we tell the difference between true and false labor?
First stage - The time of the onset of true labor until the cervix is completely dilated to 10 cm
Latent phase -> onset - 3 cms
, Active phase -> 4-7 cms
Transition phase -> 8-10 cms
Second stage - The period after the cervix is dilated to 10 cm until the baby is delivered
Third stage - Delivery of the placenta
Fourth stage - Begins with delivery of the placenta and ends 4 hours after delivery - CORRECT
ANSWER - What are the 4 stages of labor and what happens during each stage?
Uterine contractions - during the first phase of labor (onset to dilatation) primary force pushing
fetus through the maternal pelvis
Maternal pushing efforts - during the second phase of labor (dilation to birth) woman uses
voluntary pushing efforts to propel fetus through pelvis - CORRECT ANSWER - What
are the 2 powers of labor? During which phase does each happen in?
The relationship of fetal parts to each other, the posture of the fetus; flexion, deflexion, extension
- CORRECT ANSWER - What is fetal attitude?
Part of the fetus that lies closest to or has entered the pelvis and it is described as cephalic,
breech, or shoulder - CORRECT ANSWER - What is fetal presentation?
The relationship of the presenting part to the maternal pelvis and it is described as anterior,
posterior, or transverse; right occipitoposterior, right occipitotransverse, right occipitoanterior,
same with left for all 3 - CORRECT ANSWER - What is fetal position?
-ability to cope with labor pain
-catecholamines - CORRECT ANSWER - Psyche - The state of the mother's psyche is a
crucial aspect of childbirth.
Marked anxiety, fear, or fatigue decreases a woman's what?
Maternal what are secreted in response to anxiety or fear to help cope with these emotions?
Relaxation augments (increases) the natural process of labor
