Chapter 8: Process and Stages of Labor and Birth

Chapter 8: Process and Stages of Labor and Birth

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

Multiple Response

Identify one or more choices that best complete the statement or answer the question.

 

____     1.   Which maternal hormones are suspected of contributing to the onset of labor? (Select all that apply.)

1)	Increased oxytocin levels
2)	Increased prostaglandin levels
3)	Reduced progesterone levels
4)	Increased cortisol levels
5)	Uterine stretch theory

 

 

____     2.   Which signs do the nurse observe in a woman who is in labor? (Select all that apply.)

1)	Lightening
2)	Cervical effacement
3)	Cervical dilation
4)	Burst of energy
5)	Cervical softening

 

 

Multiple Choice

Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

 

____     3.   Which cervical change does the nurse caring for a primipara expect to find during an assessment?

1)	The cervix dilates first, then begins to efface.
2)	Cervical dilation occurs at the same rate as cervical effacement.
3)	Cervical effacement occurs slowly, before significant dilation occurs.
4)	Cervical dilation begins; then effacement reaches 100% before dilation is complete.

 

 

____     4.   The triage nurse receives a call from a pregnant woman. Which statement by the pregnant woman makes the nurse suspect the woman is experiencing false labor?

1)	“The pain is in my back and circles around to the front.”
2)	“The pain gets more intense when I walk.”
3)	“The pain is becoming more intense and more frequent.”
4)	“I’ve been timing the contractions, and they are not regular.”

 

Answer Section

 

MULTIPLE RESPONSE

 

1. ANS:  1, 2, 3

Chapter number and title: 8: Process and Stages of Labor and Birth

Chapter learning objective: Discuss the theories related to the factors that cause the onset of labor.

Chapter page reference: 107

Heading: Possible Causes of Labor

Integrated processes: Teaching and Learning

Client need: Physiological Adaptation

Cognitive level: Comprehension [Understanding]

Concept: Pregnancy

Difficulty: Easy

 

	Feedback
1.	Increased oxytocin is believed to stimulate the uterine muscle and contribute to the onset of labor.
2.	An increase in prostaglandins produces cervical softening and increased uterine muscle sensitivity, which are believed to contribute to stimulating contractions.
3.	Progesterone, produced by the placenta, hinders contractions, so a reduction in progesterone allows estrogen to stimulate contractions.
4.	It is the fetus, not the mother, who produces cortisol.
5.	Although the uterine stretch theory is believed to be a contributing factor to the onset of labor, it is not hormone related.

 

 

PTS:   1                    CON:  Pregnancy

 

2. ANS:  2, 3

Chapter number and title: 8: Process and Stages of Labor and Birth

Chapter learning objective: List the signs of labor.

Chapter page reference: 108

Heading: Signs of Labor

Integrated processes: Clinical Problem-Solving Process

Client need: Physiological Adaptation

Cognitive level: Application [Applying]

Concept: Pregnancy

Difficulty: Moderate

 

	Feedback
1.	Lightening is the dropping of the fetus into the pelvis, which occurs at approximately 38 weeks’ gestation, prior to the onset of labor.
2.	Cervical effacement is the thinning of the cervix, which occurs during labor.
3.	Cervical dilation is the opening of the cervical os, which occurs during labor.
4.	The burst of energy women report generally occurs 24 to 48 hours before labor begins.
5.	Cervical softening occurs in the last weeks of pregnancy, prior to the onset of labor, preparing the cervix for effacement and dilation.

 

 

PTS:   1                    CON:  Pregnancy

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

3. ANS:  3

Chapter number and title: 8: Process and Stages of Labor and Birth

Chapter learning objective: Describe the process of effacement and dilation that occurs in the cervix during labor.

Chapter page reference: 108

Heading: Effacement

Integrated processes: Clinical Problem-Solving Process

Client need: Physiological Adaptation

Cognitive level: Application [Applying]

Concept: Pregnancy

Difficulty: Moderate

 

	Feedback
1	Effacement, not dilation, occurs first in primiparas.
2	Multiparas efface and dilate at the same time, but primiparas do not.
3	The cervix of the primipara effaces slowly before significant dilation occurs.
4	Total effacement generally occurs with completion of dilation.

 

 

PTS:   1                    CON:  Pregnancy

 

4. ANS:  4

Chapter number and title: 8: Process and Stages of Labor and Birth

Chapter learning objective: Distinguish between true and false labor.

Chapter page reference: 109

Heading: Differences Between True and False Labor

Integrated processes: Clinical Problem-Solving Process

Client need: Physiological Adaptation

Cognitive level: Analysis [Analyzing]

Concept: Pregnancy

Difficulty: Difficult

 

	Feedback
1	True labor often begins in the back and radiates to the front.
2	True labor intensifies with walking, whereas false labor does not.
3	Contractions become more intense and more frequent over time in true labor.
4	False labor contractions are irregular and do not become more intense.

 

 

PTS:   1                    CON:  Pregnancy