Complications and outcomes
Complications and outcomes ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is teaching a group of pregnant clients about the risk factors for umbilical cord prolapse.
Which of the following factors should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
Premature rupture of membranes, especially when the presenting part of the fetus is high in the pelvis, can allow the cord to slip down into the cervix and vagina.
Breech presentation, such as a footling breech, can make it easy for the cord to slip between and past the fetal feet and into the pelvis.
Polyhydramnios, or excessive amniotic fluid around the fetus, can create more space for the cord to move and prolapse.
Post-term pregnancy is not a risk factor for umbilical cord prolapse. Post-term pregnancy can cause other complications such as fetal macrosomia, placental insufficiency and meconium aspiration.
Multiple gestation is not a risk factor for umbilical cord prolapse. Multiple gestation can cause other complications such as preterm labor, preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction.
The correct answer is choices A, B and C. These are the risk factors for umbilical cord prolapse that the nurse should include in the teaching. Umbilical cord prolapse is where the umbilical cord descends through the cervix, with (or before) the presenting part of the fetus. It can cause fetal hypoxia and distress by occluding or compressing the blood flow to the fetus.
Choice A is correct because premature rupture of membranes, especially when the presenting part of the fetus is high in the pelvis, can allow the cord to slip down into the cervix and vagina.
Choice B is correct because breech presentation, such as a footling breech, can make it easy for the cord to slip between and past the fetal feet and into the pelvis.
Choice C is correct because polyhydramnios, or excessive amniotic fluid around the fetus, can create more space for the cord to move and prolapse.
Choice D is wrong because post-term pregnancy is not a risk factor for umbilical cord prolapse. Post-term pregnancy can cause other complications such as fetal macrosomia, placental insufficiency and meconium aspiration.
Choice E is wrong because multiple gestation is not a risk factor for umbilical cord prolapse. Multiple gestation can cause other complications such as preterm labor, preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction.