Which of the following is true about the use of a birthing ball during labor?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because a birthing ball promotes pelvic mobility, which can help reduce pain during labor by encouraging movement and optimal positioning of the baby. It is not contraindicated for patients with high blood pressure unless specifically advised by a healthcare provider. It can be used throughout labor, not just during the second stage, and is effective at various stages, not just in early labor.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Perform a nonstress test (NST) to assess fetal well-being. 1. Decreased fetal movement can be a sign of fetal distress. 2. NST helps monitor fetal heart rate and movement to assess fetal well-being. 3. It is a non-invasive and effective way to determine fetal health. 4. Other choices are incorrect: A: Incorrect because decreased fetal movement is not always normal and should be assessed. C: Incorrect as tocolytic agents are used to stop preterm labor, not for decreased fetal movement. D: Incorrect as sugary drinks do not reliably stimulate fetal movement.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is commonly used to delay preterm labor by relaxing uterine smooth muscle. It inhibits contractions and delays labor progression. It is a standard treatment to prevent preterm birth and reduce the risk of complications for both the mother and the baby. Choice B: Emergency cesarean section is not indicated for delaying preterm labor unless there are severe complications putting the mother or baby at immediate risk. Choice C: Administering a prostaglandin inhibitor may help in some cases, but magnesium sulfate is the preferred choice for delaying labor in preterm pregnancies. Choice D: Starting a Pitocin infusion would actually stimulate contractions and hasten labor, which is the opposite of what is needed in this scenario.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Administer tocolytics to delay labor. This intervention helps to delay preterm labor, giving time for corticosteroids to enhance fetal lung maturity and reduce neonatal morbidity. Administering magnesium sulfate (Choice A) is used for neuroprotection in preterm labor but is not the initial intervention. Performing a cesarean section (Choice B) is not recommended unless there are complications. Inducing labor immediately (Choice D) is not appropriate as the goal is to delay labor to improve neonatal outcomes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer corticosteroids to promote fetal lung maturity. This is the priority intervention in preterm labor as it helps accelerate fetal lung development, reducing the risk of respiratory distress syndrome. Administering magnesium sulfate (B) is used for neuroprotection in preterm labor but is not the priority in this case. Emergency cesarean section (C) is not indicated unless there is a life-threatening situation. Performing a nonstress test (D) is important for fetal monitoring but is not the priority intervention in this scenario.