A woman has been in labor for 16 hours. Her cervix is dilated to 3 cm and is 80% effaced. The fetal presenting part is not engaged. The nurse would suspect:

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The prolonged labor with minimal cervical change indicates a potential issue with the size of the maternal pelvis compared to the fetal head, also known as cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD). The lack of engagement of the fetal presenting part further suggests this possibility. Breech malpresentation, fetal demise, and abruptio placentae would likely present with different signs and symptoms.

A Woman Has Been in Labor for 16 Hours