NUR 3045 Susan Wong Case Study: (Active labour)
CASE STUDY: Active Labor: Susan Wong
Mrs. Wong, a first-time mother, is admitted to the birthing suite in early labor after
spontaneous rupture of membranes at home. She is at 38 weeks of gestation with a history
of abnormal alpha-fetoprotein levels at 16 weeks of pregnancy.
She was scheduled for ultrasonography to visualize the fetus to rule out an open spinal
defect or Down syndrome, but never followed through. Mrs. Wong and her husband
disagreed about what to do (keep or terminate the pregnancy) if the ultrasonography
indicated a spinal problem, so they felt they did not want this information.
Reflective Questions
1. As the nurse, what priority data would you collect from this couple to help define
relevant interventions to meet their needs?
As a nurse, the data that I would collect from this couple will include a generalized
assessment of the woman's body systems together with vital signs that include: hydration and
nutrition status, urine output, temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen
saturation, pulse, and pain level. Some additional measurements will include the height,
weight, head circumference and blood sugar levels. When it comes to the shift assessment I
should collect the airway levels, breathing, circulation, any disability, the vital signs
including pain, fundal height measurement, uterine activity, including contractions,
frequency, duration and intensity. An important assessment to be noted is the fetal status
including heart rate, position and station, then I would ask the couple about their medical
NUR 3045 Susan Wong Case Study: (Active labour)
CASE STUDY: Active Labor: Susan Wong
Mrs. Wong, a first-time mother, is admitted to the birthing suite in early labor after
spontaneous rupture of membranes at home. She is at 38 weeks of gestation with a history
of abnormal alpha-fetoprotein levels at 16 weeks of pregnancy.
She was scheduled for ultrasonography to visualize the fetus to rule out an open spinal
defect or Down syndrome, but never followed through. Mrs. Wong and her husband
disagreed about what to do (keep or terminate the pregnancy) if the ultrasonography
indicated a spinal problem, so they felt they did not want this information.
Reflective Questions
1. As the nurse, what priority data would you collect from this couple to help define
relevant interventions to meet their needs?
As a nurse, the data that I would collect from this couple will include a generalized
assessment of the woman's body systems together with vital signs that include: hydration and
nutrition status, urine output, temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen
saturation, pulse, and pain level. Some additional measurements will include the height,
weight, head circumference and blood sugar levels. When it comes to the shift assessment I
should collect the airway levels, breathing, circulation, any disability, the vital signs
including pain, fundal height measurement, uterine activity, including contractions,
frequency, duration and intensity. An important assessment to be noted is the fetal status
including heart rate, position and station, then I would ask the couple about their medical
NUR 3045 Susan Wong Case Study: (Active labour)
