First Stage of Labor Sherpath Practice
Questions and Answers
What approach would a nurse take to best assess the progress of a woman in labor?
Observe for classic signs of labor progress while keeping in mind that labor is variable from birth to
birth.
It is appropriate to monitor for classic signs while recognizing that not every labor demonstrates these
signs.
Which signs and symptoms exhibited by the woman in labor suggest that she may be getting closer to
delivery?
Contractions are strong upon palpation.
This is typical of contractions in active labor.
Contractions are every 1 to 2.5 minutes.
Active labor contractions demonstrate this frequency.
There is a large amount of bloody mucus on the pad.
This is usually observed in active labor.
A woman is considered to be in active labor when the cervix is at least
cm dilated.
6 cm
Which assessment would the nurse complete when a woman is in active labor?
Prevents supine hypotension, promotes placental blood flow
-Side-lying
Allows for rocking, bouncing, opening hips with contractions
-Birthing ball
Gravity promotes fetal descent, woman can walk -Standing
Support person can reach back for massage, relieves back labor pain
-Hands and knees
Which signs are considered warning signs in labor that should be reported to the health care
provider?
The presence of thin green fluid leaking from the vagina
This could be meconium-stained amniotic fluid and should be reported.
Maternal temperature of 100.8°F
This could be an early sign of infection and should be reported to the health care provider.
Bright red vaginal bleeding with blood clots
This is a warning sign that could indicate maternal or fetal trauma, placenta previa, or placental
abruption.
Minimal variability on the fetal heart tracing for the past 60 minutes
This is longer than a normal sleep cycle and should be reported to the health care provider. This
finding could indicate decreased fetal oxygen reserve.
A patient is experiencing painful contractions and is 7 cm dilated. The nurse recognizes these relevant
cues and selects a hypothesis that the patient is in which phase of the first stage of labor?
Active labor
Questions and Answers
What approach would a nurse take to best assess the progress of a woman in labor?
Observe for classic signs of labor progress while keeping in mind that labor is variable from birth to
birth.
It is appropriate to monitor for classic signs while recognizing that not every labor demonstrates these
signs.
Which signs and symptoms exhibited by the woman in labor suggest that she may be getting closer to
delivery?
Contractions are strong upon palpation.
This is typical of contractions in active labor.
Contractions are every 1 to 2.5 minutes.
Active labor contractions demonstrate this frequency.
There is a large amount of bloody mucus on the pad.
This is usually observed in active labor.
A woman is considered to be in active labor when the cervix is at least
cm dilated.
6 cm
Which assessment would the nurse complete when a woman is in active labor?
Prevents supine hypotension, promotes placental blood flow
-Side-lying
Allows for rocking, bouncing, opening hips with contractions
-Birthing ball
Gravity promotes fetal descent, woman can walk -Standing
Support person can reach back for massage, relieves back labor pain
-Hands and knees
Which signs are considered warning signs in labor that should be reported to the health care
provider?
The presence of thin green fluid leaking from the vagina
This could be meconium-stained amniotic fluid and should be reported.
Maternal temperature of 100.8°F
This could be an early sign of infection and should be reported to the health care provider.
Bright red vaginal bleeding with blood clots
This is a warning sign that could indicate maternal or fetal trauma, placenta previa, or placental
abruption.
Minimal variability on the fetal heart tracing for the past 60 minutes
This is longer than a normal sleep cycle and should be reported to the health care provider. This
finding could indicate decreased fetal oxygen reserve.
A patient is experiencing painful contractions and is 7 cm dilated. The nurse recognizes these relevant
cues and selects a hypothesis that the patient is in which phase of the first stage of labor?
Active labor
