A patient is admitted to the labor and delivery unit with contractions that are 2 minutes apart, lasting 60 seconds. She reports that she had bloody show earlier that morning. A vaginal exam reveals that her cervix is 100 percent effaced and 8 cm dilated. The nurse knows that the patient is in which phase of labor?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is in the transition phase of labor, which is characterized by 100 percent effacement and dilation of 8-10 cm. The contractions are typically strong and close together. The bloody show is also a sign of cervical change and progression of labor. The active phase of labor is typically 4-7 cm dilation, and the latent phase is 0-3 cm dilation. The fourth stage of labor is after delivery of the baby and expulsion of the placenta.

A Patient Is Admitted to the Labor and Delivery Unit