Questions and Answers
What indicates that someone is in actual labor?
Regular uterine contractions that produce cervical dilation.
What is hypertonic uterine dysfunction?
Uncoordinated uterine activity.
What are the characteristics of contractions in hypertonic uterine dysfunction?
They are frequent and painful but ineffective in promoting dilation and effacement.
Who is at higher risk for developing hypertonic uterine dysfunction?
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What risks do women face when experiencing hypertonic uterine dysfunction?
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What are the risks for fetuses experiencing hypertonic uterine dysfunction?
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What assessment findings are expected in women with hypertonic dysfunction?
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What does it mean that the uterus cannot be indented?
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What does FHR assessment during hypertonic dysfunction indicate?
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What are some medical management strategies for a hypertonic dysfunction patient?
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How do we evaluate labor progress in hypertonic dysfunction?
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Why is hydration important for hypertonic dysfunction?
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Why do we want the patient to rest with hypertonic dysfunction?
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What are some ways to promote rest in patients with hypertonic dysfunction?
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How does morphine promote rest in hypertonic dysfunction?
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What nursing interventions are important for hypertonic dysfunction?
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What can hypertonic uterine dysfunction lead to?
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Study Notes
Labor Indications
- Actual labor is characterized by regular uterine contractions leading to cervical dilation.
Hypertonic Uterine Dysfunction
- Defined as uncoordinated uterine activity, resulting in ineffective contractions.
Contraction Characteristics
- Contractions are frequent, painful, and intense but do not effectively promote cervical dilation or effacement.
Risk Factors
- Nulliparous women, those who have never given birth, are at higher risk of developing hypertonic uterine dysfunction.
Patient Risks
- Women experiencing hypertonic uterine dysfunction may face exhaustion due to prolonged labor.
Fetal Risks
- Fetuses are at risk for fetal intolerance of labor and possible asphyxia due to decreased placental perfusion from frequent contractions.
Assessment Findings
- Characterized by painful, frequent contractions with inadequate uterine relaxation and minimal cervical change. The uterus remains hard and cannot be indented during palpation.
Uterine Indentation
- A hard uterus that cannot be indented indicates high frequency of irregular contractions, leading to difficulty in relaxation.
Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) Findings
- FHR may fall into category II (indeterminate) or category III (abnormal) due to prolonged labor and poor uterine relaxation.
Medical Management
- Management includes evaluating labor progress, identifying causes of dysfunction, providing hydration, pain management, and ensuring rest.
Labor Progress Evaluation
- Vaginal examinations are performed to assess labor progress in cases of hypertonic dysfunction.
Hydration Purpose
- Hydration improves uterine perfusion and coordination of contractions; IV fluids are commonly used.
Importance of Rest
- Encouraging rest helps break the pattern of ineffective contractions. Effective labor may resume after periods of sleep.
Promoting Rest Techniques
- Methods include administering morphine, providing a warm shower or bath, maintaining a quiet environment, limiting visitor access, and reducing room entry frequency.
Morphine's Role
- Morphine reduces uterine contractions, promotes rest, and prevents exhaustion in the patient.
Nursing Interventions
- Essential nursing actions involve vaginal exams, administering morphine, ensuring hydration, and encouraging rest.
Overview of Hypertonic Uterine Dysfunction
- This condition can result in slow or difficult labor progress, categorized as dystocia, and is recognized as a type of uterine dystocia.
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Description
This quiz covers the characteristics of actual labor, hypertonic uterine dysfunction, and their implications for both mothers and fetuses. Learn about the risk factors, contraction characteristics, and assessment findings related to ineffectual uterine activity during labor.
