Kelly, a nullipara at 34 weeks' gestation, comes to the emergency department saying, "I think I'm about to go into labor." After assessing the client, the nurse alerts the physician for a possible case of pre-term labor. The nurse then initiates nursing interventions that aim to manage pre-term labor. Which of the following findings would be most likely to lead the nurse to suspect pre-term labor?
A)Irregular uterine contractions; cervical dilatation is absent.
B)Painful uterine contractions occurring every 10 minutes with cervical dilatation.
C)Painful uterine contractions occurring every 10 minutes without cervical dilatation.
D)Irregular contractions every 10 minutes with cervical dilation; effacement has not started.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Regular uterine contractions with cervical dilatation before 36 weeks is indicative of pre-term labor. Irregular uterine contractions do not suggest a case of pre-term labor. In nulliparas or women who has not had given birth at more than 20 weeks' gestation, effacement of the cervix usually occurs with dilatation. In multiparas, effacement is often completed before dilatation.

Kelly, a Nullipara at 34 Weeks' Gestation, Comes to the Emergency