While caring for a client in labor, the nurse notices during a vaginal exam that the fetus's head has rotated internally. What would the nurse expect the next set of cardinal movements for a fetus in a vertex presentation to be?
A) Flexion, extension, restitution, external rotation, and expulsion
B) Expulsion, external rotation, and restitution
C) Restitution, flexion, external rotation, and expulsion
D) Extension, restitution, external rotation, and expulsion

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

After the fetus's head rotates internally, the next movements in the sequence for a fetus in a vertex presentation are extension (as the head passes under the pubic symphysis), restitution (the head rotates to align with the body after delivery), external rotation (shoulders align with the pelvic inlet), and finally expulsion (delivery of the rest of the body).

While Caring for a Client in Labor, the Nurse Notices