Obstetrics and Neonatal Care Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts in obstetrics and neonatal care for EMT review.

What are the three stages of labor?

Dilation of the cervix, delivery of the fetus, and delivery of the placenta.

What occurs in the first stage of labor?

Begins with the onset of contractions and ends when the cervix is fully dilated.

What is a primigravida?

A woman during her first pregnancy.

What is lightening?

The head of the fetus descends into the woman’s pelvis as it positions for delivery

At what point does the second stage of labor begin and end?

Begins when the fetus begins to encounter the birth canal and ends when the newborn is born.

When does the third stage of labor begin and end?

Begins with the birth of the newborn and ends with the delivery of the placenta.

Name the question a provider should ask to determine if delivery at the scene is immient.

How long have you been pregnant, when are you due, is this your first baby, are you having contractions, how far apart are the contractions, how long do they last, have you had spotting or bleeding, has your water broken, do you fee the need to have a bowel movement, do you feel the need to push?

What should you visually inspect for when delivery is immient?

Crowning

What does it mean to assist the woman with delivery?

Once labor begins, it cannot be slowed or stopped. Never attempt to hold the patient’s legs together, and do not let her go to the bathroom.

What actions should your partner take during delivery?

Comfort, soothe, and reassure.

What should you apply across the perineum with a sterile guaze pad to reduce the risk of tearing?

Gentle pressure

What do you do if the amniotic sac does not rupture by the time the head is crowning?

Puncture the sac with a clamp or tear it by twisting it between your fingers. Clear the newborn’s mouth and nose immediately.

What is vernix caseosa?

The slippery substance that covers a newborn.

What are the intitial steps of newborn care?

Airway positioning and suctioning, if needed, drying, warming, and tactile stimulation.

How long after birth does the placenta deliever?

A few minutes

What is the appropriate action if the placenta has not delivered after 30 minutes?

Transport the woman to the hospital.

What is the “golden minute”?

The first minute after birth

When giving compressions durring newborn resuscitation, what is the ratio of compression to ventilations?

3:1 performed at 120 actions per minute

How do you handle suctioning if meconium is present and the newborn isn't breathing

Quickly suction the newborn’s mouth then nose after delivery before providing rescue ventilations.

What five areas does the Apgar score asses?

Appearance, Pulse, Grimace or irritability, Activity or muscle tone, Respirations

How do you handle delivery if the presenting part of the fetus is a single arm, leg, or foot?

Transport immediately, never try to push it in or pull on it, and place the patient on her back, with her head down and pelvis elevated.

What happens if the a prolapsed umbilical cord is not addressed?

The fetus’s head will compress the cord and cut off circulation.

What is the proceedure for a prolapsed umbilical cord?

Do not push the cord back into the vagina. Insert your gloved hand into the vagina and push the fetus’s head away from the umbilical cord. Place the pregnant woman supine with the foot of the cot raised higher than the head, with her hips elevated or in the knee-chest position. Transport rapidly.

How do you care for for a spina bifida?

Cover the open area of the spinal cord with a sterile, moist dressing while maintaining body temperature.

What puts postparum patients at risk?

An embolism

What is gestational hypertension defined by?

Systolic pressure higher than 140 mm Hg and diastolic pressure higher than 90 mm Hg

What are the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia?

Severe hypertension, severe or persistent headache, visual abnormalities, swelling in the hands and feet, and anxiety.

What is Eclampsia characterized by?

Seizures that occur as a result of hypertension.

How should you treat seizures caused by eclampsia?

Lie the patient on her left side, maintain her airway, administer supplemental oxygen if necessary, suction the airway if vomiting occurs, provide rapid transport and call for ALS.

How should you transport a patient to prevent supine hypotensive syndrome?

On her Left side

What are the signs of placenta previa?

The placenta develops over and covers the cervix.

The first stage of labor ends when:

The presenting part of the baby is visible.

When transporting a woman who is 8 months’ pregnant, you should position this patient on her left side to prevent:

Supine hypotensive syndrome

Immediately after delivery of the infant’s head, you should:

Check the position of the umbilical cord.

If you note that the umbilical cord is wrapped around its neck upon delivery of the faces head, you should:

Make one attempt to slide the cord over the head.

The need for and extent of newborn resuscitation is based on:

Respiratory effort, heart rate, and color.

The MOST effective way to prevent cardiopulmonary arrest in a newborn is to:

Ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

A newborn is considered to be “term” if it is born after 37 weeks and before 42 weeks.

37, 42