Assignment task:
Beth is a 28-year-old gravida 1, para 0 patient, who was admitted 1 hour ago. Beth's cervix is 3 cm dilated and 100% effaced, the station is -2, and her membranes are intact. Contractions occur every 3 minutes, last 40 to 50 seconds, and are of moderate intensity. The fetal heart rate averages 135 to 145 beats per minute (bpm) and has a Category I pattern. Beth reports that constant back pain is annoying; however, she feels that she can cope with it at this time. Beth and her husband Sam attended prepared childbirth classes and are using the breathing techniques they learned.
Questions
a. At what stage of labor is Beth?
b. Explain to Beth her vaginal exam and her progress.
c. Identify Beth's problems at this time.
d. Using nursing process, formulate a nursing care plan for Beth.
e. At this time, what methods for pain management are most appropriate to suggest, nonpharmacologic or pharmacologic?