NUR2005 Study Set Exam
physiological changes occur during pregnancy - Answer most are temporary and due to
effects of hormones- begin early as 5 weeks
- hormonal: increased progesterone, oestrogens, hCG, hPL
-mechanical: increased size of uterus, cervix thickens, ovaries have no ovulation, vagina
loosens, breasts enlarge
-placental circualtion" low-pressure arteriovenous
- the heart increases in size, arteries vasodilate to increase blood flow, increase blood
volume and lower BP, increased HR, greater demand for O2
-bladder capacity doubles, decreased space in pelvic region, skin pigment changes,
stretch marks
why changes occur in the womens body during pregnancy - Answer to protect the
developing embryo and fetus
to provide for the demands of the fetus
to prepare to feed the baby when its born
physiological changes occur during postpartum - Answer increased temp, sweating,
discharge from vagina, breasts produce milk, feeling tight/sore, fatigue, weight loss,
insomnia, hormones decrease drastically
S/S of labor - Answer "healthy pain" from contraction of uterus and dilation of cervix and
descent of the fetus
pain in the lower uterine segment and lower back
4 stages of labor - Answer dilation, expulsion (birth of baby), delivery of placenta
first stage of labor - Answer labor commences and the cervix effaces, may take hours to
days of early labor
water breaks, period-like pain, lower back pain,
established labor the cervix is dilated to 4cm with regular contractions progressively
dilating to 10cm
-latent, active and transition
second stage of labor - Answer cervix fully dilated to 10cm to when the baby is born
long/strong contractions
,increased pressure
urge to push
baby is born and placed skin to skin with mother
third stage of labor - Answer begins after birth of baby until the placenta and
membranes have been birthed
contractions to expel placenta
fullness in the vagina
fourth stage of labor - Answer first hour of post birth to 6 hours post-birth of the
placenta
supportive care
assessments
care during labor for the women - Answer use of non-pharmacological strategies
pain management
active labor positioning
mechanisms of normal birth - Answer -descent- into pelvis with contraction and
reteaction
-flexion- increases during labot- suboccipitobregmatic-9.5cm
internal rotation- with contraction the leading part meets pelvic floor muscle
-crowning- with further descent the occiput escapes under the pubic arch and widest
transverse diameter
- extension- pivoting on suboccipital region and the pubic bone the sinciput and face
sweep perineum and head born by extension
-restitution- correction to internal rotation to bring head back into alignment with
shoulders
- internal rotation of shoulders- anterior shoulder reaches pelvic floor and rotates to
anterior
- lateral flexion- body born following natural curve of carcus
Three trimesters of pregnancy - Answer first- week 1 to week 12 (embryonic phase)
second- week 13 to week 27 (fetal phase)
third- week 28 until birth
, Naegele's Rule - Answer add 9 months and 7 days to LMP( last menstrual period)
S/S of pregnancy - Answer Amenorrhea with fatigue, nausea, and/or vomiting as well as
breast changes.
Urinary frequency (consider UTI)
Softening of the cervix
Fetal movement ("quickening" is detected by the mother around 18-20 weeks of
gestation)
cravings of food
discomforts/ disorders of pregnancy are due to - Answer increased secretion of
horomones
pressure of the uterus and its contents on other body structures
metabolic changes
postural changes
breastfeeding and its importance - Answer milk removal stimulates the production of
milk
8-12 feeds in 24 hours
•Assessment of a good feed Feel the breast before and after the feed
•Watch the baby suck/swallow
•Assess let down
•Observe nipple shape after the feed
•What goes in one end comes out the other (poo chart)
physiological changes that occur with women post birth - Answer postpartum bleeding,
vaginal/c-section healing, mood swings, night sweats, milk production
monitor temp, pulse, RR, BP, LOC
skin to skin contact ASAP
watch for bleeding, assess pain, urine output and provide meds if needed
physiological changes that occur with newborn at birth - Answer crying, breathing,
oxygen enters blood, turning pink
newborn reflexes - Answer inborn automatic responses to particular forms of
stimulation