Obstetric Nurse Labor and Birth Process Questions and Answers

Question 1

A laboring client's membranes spontaneously rupture, and the nurse notes a loop of the umbilical cord protruding from the vagina. What is the nurse's immediate priority action?

Accepted Answer

Place the client in a knee-chest or Trendelenburg position.

Answer

Administer a tocolytic agent as ordered.

Answer

Cover the exposed cord with a dry, sterile gauze.

Answer

Prepare the client for an amnioinfusion.

Question 2

A nurse is analyzing a fetal heart rate tracing. The baseline is 140 bpm, variability is moderate, and there are abrupt increases of 15 bpm lasting 20 seconds with fetal movement. Late decelerations are absent. How should the nurse categorize this tracing?

Accepted Answer

Category I

Answer

Category II

Answer

Category III

Answer

Indeterminate

Question 3

A client in the second stage of labor is pushing effectively. Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate to support the client during this stage?

Accepted Answer

Assisting the client into an upright position, such as squatting or sitting.

Answer

Encouraging the client to hold her breath and push for at least 15 seconds with each contraction.

Answer

Administering a bolus of intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration.

Answer

Performing a fundal check every 5 minutes to assess progress.

Question 4

A client who is 30 minutes postpartum after a vaginal delivery experiences a sudden gush of dark red blood and complains of severe uterine cramping. The nurse notes that the uterus is boggy. Which condition should the nurse suspect?

Accepted Answer

Retained placental fragments

Answer

Placenta accreta

Answer

Cervical laceration

Answer

Uterine atony

Question 5

A pregnant client presents to the labor unit with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding and a soft, non-tender uterus. Fetal heart tones are within the normal range. Which of the following conditions is most consistent with these findings?

Accepted Answer

Placenta previa

Answer

Vasa previa

Answer

Placental abruption

Answer

Uterine rupture

Question 6

A laboring client requests pain relief but wishes to avoid epidural anesthesia. Which non-pharmacological intervention utilizes the gate-control theory of pain?

Accepted Answer

Applying counter-pressure to the sacral area.

Answer

Encouraging the use of hypnosis.

Answer

Administering nitrous oxide.

Answer

Suggesting aromatherapy with lavender oil.