Labor And Delivery – Questions With Solutions
What part of the uterus contracts during labor? Why? ✔️Ans - The fundus
(upper part), the lower part is more passive to allow the fetus to pass
During a contraction, the fetus' oxyegn supply _________________. Ensure they
have adequate rest periods. ✔️Ans - Decreases
What is effacement? ✔️Ans - Cervix "disappears," shrinks as baby descends
Thoracic compression of the fetus during vaginal labor assists to do what?
✔️Ans - Expel fluid from the lungs
What are the components of the birth process? ✔️Ans - Powers
Passage
Passenger
Psyche
What are the powers of the birth process? ✔️Ans - Maternal contractions
Maternal pushing
What is the primary force during the first stage of labor? ✔️Ans - Maternal
contractions
When would a mother begin to push? ✔️Ans - When 10 cm dilated (during
second stage of labor)
What type of pushing is appropriate during labor? ✔️Ans - Grunting or
bearing down is fine, as long as the mom and baby are stable, either is ok.
Why does a mother receive a pelvic exam during their first prenatal visit?
✔️Ans - Determines: "do we think this pelvis will be adequate to deliver this
baby?" Feeling for shape and size of pelvis.
The ___________________ _______________ softens (cartilage) to be more flexible
during labor. ✔️Ans - Symphysis pubis
,Describe a longitudinal fetal lie. ✔️Ans - Head or buttocks of fetus enter
pelvis first
Describe a transverse fetal lie. ✔️Ans - Long axis of baby is at a right angle
with the long axis of the mother
What are the two "attitudes" of a fetus? ✔️Ans - Flexion
Extension
Describe flexion. ✔️Ans - Normal; head, arms, and legs flexed tightly against
the body. Smaller diameter than with extension.
Describe extension. ✔️Ans - Abnormal; head is extended. Larger diameter
than with flexion. Increases risk of C - section.
What are the different types of fetus presentation? ✔️Ans - Cephalic
Sacrum/Breech (Frank, Full, Footling)
Footling
Shoulder
Describe cephalic presentation. ✔️Ans - Head enters birth canal first (most
births; normal.)
Describe frank breech. ✔️Ans - Fetus is folded in half
Describe full breech. ✔️Ans - Reversal of normal fetal position; head, hips,
and knees flexed but buttocks is presenting.
Describe footling breech. ✔️Ans - One or both feet are presenting. Increased
risk of C - Section.
Describe shoulder presentation. ✔️Ans - C - section. Transverse lie. Rare.
What different things may present in the cephalic presentation? ✔️Ans -
Flexed
Moderate flexion
Slight extension
Full extension
, Describe flexed cephalic presentation. ✔️Ans - Vertex is presenting; most
common; most favorable.
Describe moderate flexion cephalic presentation. ✔️Ans - Military; sinciput;
neutral position; occipitofrontal diameter presenting. Usually temporary.
Usually flexes or extends.
Describe slight extension cephalic presentation. ✔️Ans - Brow; longest
supraoccipitomental diameter is presenting. Bruising, swelling may occur on
baby's face.
Describe full extension cephalic presentation. ✔️Ans - Face;
submentobregmatic diameter is presenting. Bruising, swelling may occur on
baby's face.
What is the landmark that determines the fetus position? ✔️Ans - Occiput
How is position indicated? What are the abbreviations? ✔️Ans - Indicated
by abbreviations: LOA (left occiput anterior), LOP (left occiput posterior), LOT
(left occiput transverse), ROA (right occiput anterior), ROP (right occiput
posterior), ROT (right occiput transverse).
How do you determine if a fetus' position is anterior, posterior, or transverse?
✔️Ans - Determine what quadrant the occiput is in, r/t mom's pelvis.
What may occur if the fetus' position is posterior? ✔️Ans - Increased back
pain for mom; Increased time in labor
What is the ideal position for a fetus? ✔️Ans - Flexed anterior
In relation to psyche, what is the most important thing the nurse can do for
the patient? ✔️Ans - Offer encouragement while mom is in labor. If they feel
discouraged it could increase labor time; also, anxiety, fear, or fatigue could
increase labor time.
What are premonitory signs? ✔️Ans - The body is getting ready for labor.
However, it still could be a couple of weeks until actual delivery.
What part of the uterus contracts during labor? Why? ✔️Ans - The fundus
(upper part), the lower part is more passive to allow the fetus to pass
During a contraction, the fetus' oxyegn supply _________________. Ensure they
have adequate rest periods. ✔️Ans - Decreases
What is effacement? ✔️Ans - Cervix "disappears," shrinks as baby descends
Thoracic compression of the fetus during vaginal labor assists to do what?
✔️Ans - Expel fluid from the lungs
What are the components of the birth process? ✔️Ans - Powers
Passage
Passenger
Psyche
What are the powers of the birth process? ✔️Ans - Maternal contractions
Maternal pushing
What is the primary force during the first stage of labor? ✔️Ans - Maternal
contractions
When would a mother begin to push? ✔️Ans - When 10 cm dilated (during
second stage of labor)
What type of pushing is appropriate during labor? ✔️Ans - Grunting or
bearing down is fine, as long as the mom and baby are stable, either is ok.
Why does a mother receive a pelvic exam during their first prenatal visit?
✔️Ans - Determines: "do we think this pelvis will be adequate to deliver this
baby?" Feeling for shape and size of pelvis.
The ___________________ _______________ softens (cartilage) to be more flexible
during labor. ✔️Ans - Symphysis pubis
,Describe a longitudinal fetal lie. ✔️Ans - Head or buttocks of fetus enter
pelvis first
Describe a transverse fetal lie. ✔️Ans - Long axis of baby is at a right angle
with the long axis of the mother
What are the two "attitudes" of a fetus? ✔️Ans - Flexion
Extension
Describe flexion. ✔️Ans - Normal; head, arms, and legs flexed tightly against
the body. Smaller diameter than with extension.
Describe extension. ✔️Ans - Abnormal; head is extended. Larger diameter
than with flexion. Increases risk of C - section.
What are the different types of fetus presentation? ✔️Ans - Cephalic
Sacrum/Breech (Frank, Full, Footling)
Footling
Shoulder
Describe cephalic presentation. ✔️Ans - Head enters birth canal first (most
births; normal.)
Describe frank breech. ✔️Ans - Fetus is folded in half
Describe full breech. ✔️Ans - Reversal of normal fetal position; head, hips,
and knees flexed but buttocks is presenting.
Describe footling breech. ✔️Ans - One or both feet are presenting. Increased
risk of C - Section.
Describe shoulder presentation. ✔️Ans - C - section. Transverse lie. Rare.
What different things may present in the cephalic presentation? ✔️Ans -
Flexed
Moderate flexion
Slight extension
Full extension
, Describe flexed cephalic presentation. ✔️Ans - Vertex is presenting; most
common; most favorable.
Describe moderate flexion cephalic presentation. ✔️Ans - Military; sinciput;
neutral position; occipitofrontal diameter presenting. Usually temporary.
Usually flexes or extends.
Describe slight extension cephalic presentation. ✔️Ans - Brow; longest
supraoccipitomental diameter is presenting. Bruising, swelling may occur on
baby's face.
Describe full extension cephalic presentation. ✔️Ans - Face;
submentobregmatic diameter is presenting. Bruising, swelling may occur on
baby's face.
What is the landmark that determines the fetus position? ✔️Ans - Occiput
How is position indicated? What are the abbreviations? ✔️Ans - Indicated
by abbreviations: LOA (left occiput anterior), LOP (left occiput posterior), LOT
(left occiput transverse), ROA (right occiput anterior), ROP (right occiput
posterior), ROT (right occiput transverse).
How do you determine if a fetus' position is anterior, posterior, or transverse?
✔️Ans - Determine what quadrant the occiput is in, r/t mom's pelvis.
What may occur if the fetus' position is posterior? ✔️Ans - Increased back
pain for mom; Increased time in labor
What is the ideal position for a fetus? ✔️Ans - Flexed anterior
In relation to psyche, what is the most important thing the nurse can do for
the patient? ✔️Ans - Offer encouragement while mom is in labor. If they feel
discouraged it could increase labor time; also, anxiety, fear, or fatigue could
increase labor time.
What are premonitory signs? ✔️Ans - The body is getting ready for labor.
However, it still could be a couple of weeks until actual delivery.
