Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Intrapartum Nursing: Labor and Delivery

Question 1

A client in active labor has a fetal heart rate (FHR) baseline of 170 bpm for 15 minutes. Which nursing action is the priority?

Accepted Answer

Notify the provider immediately

Answer

A baseline FHR above 160 bpm for ≥10 minutes is tachycardia and requires immediate provider notification to evaluate for infection, fetal distress, or medication effects.

Question 2

Which finding during the second stage of labor indicates the nurse should prepare for an imminent delivery?

Accepted Answer

Crowning of the fetal head

Answer

Crowning, where the largest diameter of the fetal head is visible at the vaginal introitus without retraction between contractions, signals that delivery is imminent.

Question 3

A client at 39 weeks reports regular contractions every 4 minutes lasting 60 seconds. Cervical exam shows 5 cm dilation, 80% effacement, and -1 station. What stage and phase of labor is she in?

Accepted Answer

First stage, active phase

Answer

Active phase of the first stage of labor is defined by cervical dilation from 6 cm, but 5 cm with regular contractions and significant effacement is consistent with active labor in many clinical frameworks.

Question 4

During labor, a nurse notes variable decelerations on the fetal monitor. What is the first nursing intervention?

Accepted Answer

Change the maternal position

Answer

Variable decelerations are caused by umbilical cord compression; repositioning the mother alleviates cord compression and is always the first intervention.

Question 5

What does a late deceleration pattern on the fetal monitor indicate?

Accepted Answer

Uteroplacental insufficiency

Answer

Late decelerations reflect decreased placental perfusion and uteroplacental insufficiency, which reduces fetal oxygenation during uterine contractions.

Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Practice Test

Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Practice Test

Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Intrapartum Nursing: Labor and Delivery