The primiparous client has asked the nurse why her cervix has only changed from 1 to 2 cm in 3 hours of contractions occurring every 5 minutes. How should the nurse respond to this client?
A) "What did you expect? You have only had contractions for a few hours. Labor takes time."
B) "When your perineal body thins out, your cervix will begin to dilate much faster than it is now."
C) "The hormones that cause labor to begin are just getting to be at levels that will change your cervix."
D) "Your cervix has also effaced, or thinned out, and that change in the cervix is also labor progress."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should explain to the patient that besides cervical dilation, effacement or thinning of the cervix is also an important measure of labor progress. Thinning out of the cervix usually occurs before dilation starts to occur. Therefore, the cervix is actually changing and getting ready for labor. The cervix must fully efface (100%) and dilate (10cm) before the baby can be born. The response in option A is dismissive and does not address the patient's concerns. Option B is incorrect because effacement happens before cervical dilation. Option C is also misleading and does not accurately explain the changes in the cervix.

The Primiparous Client Has Asked the Nurse Why Her Cervix