Intrapartum Nursing Lecture Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the stages of labor, monitoring techniques, complications, and immediate care for the mother and infant during the intrapartum period.

First Stage of Labor

Begins with regular uterine contractions and ends with complete cervical effacement and dilation.

Latent Phase

The phase of the First Stage of labor characterized by regular painful uterine contractions that cause cervical change, leading to the beginning of the active phase.

Active Phase

The period of greatest rate of cervical dilation, from $6-10\,cm$, ending with complete cervical dilation.

Second Stage of Labor

Begins with complete cervical dilation and complete effacement, and ends with the birth of the baby.

Third Stage of Labor

The period from the birth of the baby to the delivery of the placenta; it is the shortest stage of labor.

Fourth Stage of Labor

Begins with the delivery of the placenta and lasts until the mother is stable, usually occurring within the first hour after birth.

Cervical Dilation

The opening of the cervix, measured from $0-10\,cm$.

Cervical Effacement

The thinning of the cervix, measured from $0-100\%$.

Station of Fetus

The measurement of the fetal presenting part in relation to the ischial spines, ranging from $-5$ to $+5$.

True Labor

Characterized by regular contractions that increase in frequency and intensity, radiate from the lower back to the abdomen, and result in progressive cervical dilation and effacement.

False Labor

Characterized by painless, irregular contractions usually felt in the abdomen above the umbilicus that often stop with comfort measures like oral hydration.

Ultrasound transducer

An external monitor placed on the lower abdomen to measure the fetal heart rate (FHR).

Toco-transducer (Toco)

An external monitor placed over the fundus above the umbilicus to measure uterine contractions transabdominally.

Spiral electrode

An internal monitor placed on the fetal presenting part, usually the head, to assess fetal heart rate (FHR).

Intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC)

An internal device placed inside the uterus to assess uterine activity and uterine resting tone.

Chorioamnionitis

An infection indicated by maternal fever, fetal tachycardia, and a foul odor of the amniotic fluid; treated with Ampicillin or Penicillin and Gentamicin.

Rupture of the Uterus

A complication evidenced by abnormal FHR tracings, sudden sharp abdominal pain or tearing sensations, and bright red vaginal bleeding.

Induction of labor

The chemical or mechanical initiation of uterine contractions before spontaneous onset for the purpose of birth.

Amniotomy (AROM)

Artificial rupture of membranes where labor usually occurs within $12$ hours; it may decrease labor duration by up to $2$ hours.

Oxytocin (Pitocin)

A hormone used to induce or augment labor, classified as a High Alert Medication produced by the posterior pituitary gland.

APGAR Score

A clinical tool evaluating Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration at $1$ and $5$ minutes after birth.

Severe APGAR Distress

Indicated by an APGAR score of $0-3$.

Moderate APGAR Difficulty

Indicated by an APGAR score of $4-6$.

Vitamin K (Aquamephyton)

A medication administered immediately after birth to the infant for blood clotting.

Erythromycin (EES)

A prophylactic eye treatment given to the infant immediately after birth as required by state law.

Ice peri-pad

A postpartum intervention used to control edema, limit hematoma formation, and provide anesthetic numbing to the area.