What is preterm labor? What are five (5) risk factors for preterm labor?

Suggested Maternal Newborn Learning Activity: Stages and Phases of Labor and Delivery

Preterm labor refers to onset of rhythmic uterine contractions that result in cervical changes, usually
between the 20th and 37th week gestation. This is a period of fetal viability but before fetal maturity.
Management includes suppression of preterm labor when tests show immature fetal pulmonary
development and cervical dilation is less than 4 cm, in the absence of contraindications to continuation of
the pregnancy. Risk factors include infections, chronic medical conditions, advanced maternal age,
multifetal gestation, low pre-pregnancy weight, placental changes, maternal or fetal stress, uterine over-
distention, obesity, and amniotic fluid abnormalities.

A nurse is caring for a newborn with hyperbilirubinemia who has been prescribed
phototherapy. Identify five (5) interventions the nurse should institute for this client?

1. Maintain an eye mask over the newborn’s eyes for protection of corneas and retinas.
2. Keep the newborn undressed, and for a male place a mask over genitalia to prevent testicular
damage.
3. Remove from phototherapy every 4 hours and unmask the eyes, checking for inflammation or
injury and reposition every 2 hours to prevent pressure sores.
4. Monitor elimination and daily weights, watching for evidence of dehydration and maintain
adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
5. Check the newborn’s axillary temperature every 4 hours because temperature can become
elevated. Check the lamp energy with a photometer per facility protocol.

The nurse is monitoring newborns in the nursery. What two (2) priority complications and the
associated findings would the nurse report to the provider upon admission to the nursery?
Suggested Maternal Newborn Learning Activity: Newborn Case Study

1. Respiratory rate greater that 60/min. Tachypnea is a sign of impaired ventilation

2. Hypoglycemia below 40 mg/dl. If uncorrected, can lead to severe central nervous system (CNS)
damage

The nurse is collecting data on a 10-week gestation client experiencing vomiting. What data
would the nurse collect that are risks for developing hyperemesis gravidarum?
Suggested Maternal Newborn Learning Activity: Hyperemesis Gravidarum
 Previous pregnancies with HG
 History of psychiatric disorders
 Transient hyperthyroidism
 Vitamin B deficiencies
 Maternal age younger than 20 years
 Obesity
 First pregnancy
 Multifetal gestation
  High stress levels.

Create custom exam and complete 5 Board Vitals questions using the
Ante/Intra/Postpartum and Neonatal Care content area. Once you finish your custom
BoardVitals Exam, send me a summary of two nursing concepts you reviewed from your
Board Vitals quiz to indicate completion. Access the BoardVitals quiz bank
on www.atitesting.com under MY ATI under the NCLEX Prep tab.
1. A biophysical profile (BPP) is a noninvasive test that is performed via ultrasound in conjunction
with a nonstress test to monitor for five variables to assess fetal well-being: fetal breathing, fetal
movement, fetal muscle tone, amniotic fluid volume, and fetal heart reactivity. Each variable can
receive a score of 0 to 2. Fetal breathing is observed by ultrasound for 30 min, and the fetus
should experience one episode of 30 seconds of maintained fetal breathing movements. Fetal
movements are observed for 30 min, and the fetus must have three separate episodes of fetal
limb or trunk movements to receive a score of 2. Fetal tone is observed for 30 min by
ultrasound, and the fetus must extend and the flex the extremities or spine at least once to
receive a score of 2. Amniotic fluid volume should measure more than 2 cm in vertical diameter
to receive a score of 2. Fetal heart reactivity is monitored during a nonstress test, and the fetus
should exhibit two or more accelerations of fetal heart rate of 15/min, lasting 15 seconds each,
following fetal movements in a 2-minute period to receive a score of 2. A BPP score of 8 to 10
indicates good fetal well-being. A BPP score of 6 requires further evaluation, and a score of 4
indicates potential fetal distress.
2. TORCH stands for toxoplasmosis, other infections, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex
virus. Clients who are pregnant and have a TORCH infection will exhibit influenza-like
manifestations, such as tender lymph nodes, malaise, joint pain, fever, chills, and headache. The
effects of these infections include significant congenital anomalies and even death. Clients
should be taught early in pregnancy about proper handwashing and hygiene. Women who are
pregnant should avoid activities that increase the risk of developing TORCH infections, such as
cleaning cat litter boxes and consuming raw or undercooked meats.