The nurse is admitting a pregnant client who is experiencing intense "back labor." The nurse suspects the fetus is in which position?

Question

The nurse is admitting a pregnant client who is experiencing intense "back labor."  The nurse suspects the fetus is in which position?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecbb05_cc08_2903_b433_a313c2ffc602_MD0009_00 A laboring client may experience lower back pain with contractions, or "back labor," when the fetus is in the right occiput posterior (ROP) position. This variation of vertex presentation causes the fetal occiput to exert added pressure on the woman's sacrum during contractions. Positioning the woman on her hands and knees often helps decrease back pain and facilitates fetal rotation into an anterior position. (Option B) This fetus is in the right occiput anterior (ROA) position, which is optimal for birth as it allows for rotation of the fetal head through the birth canal. (Option C) This fetus is in the right occiput transverse (ROT) position. When the fetus remains in the OP or OT position, labor is often prolonged. Most fetuses in these positions will rotate spontaneously to the OA position during labor. Manual rotation may be attempted with persistent OP or OT position. (Option D) Breech presentation, with the fetal feet or buttocks presenting first in the maternal pelvis, does not cause back labor. Potential complications from breech presentation include ineffective dilation of the cervix and increased risk of umbilical cord prolapse. Educational objective: The occiput posterior position is associated with intense "back labor" due to increased pressure on the maternal sacrum and may result in prolonged labor. Occiput anterior position is optimal for fetal rotation and birth. Breech presentation is associated with ineffective cervical dilation and increased risk of umbilical cord prolapse.

The Nurse Is Admitting a Pregnant Client Who Is Experiencing