Question

Maternity nurses often have to answer questions about the many, sometimes unusual, ways people have tried to make the birthing experience more comfortable. Which information regarding nonpharmacologic pain relief is accurate?

1) Music supplied by the support person has to be discouraged because it could disturb others or upset the hospital routine.
2) Women in labor can benefit from sitting in a bathtub, but they must limit immersion to no longer than 15 minutes at a time.
3) Effleurage is permissible, but counterpressure is almost always counterproductive.
4) Electrodes attached to either side of the spine to provide high-intensity electrical impulses facilitate the release of endorphins.

Answer 1

Nonpharmacologic pain relief methods during labor such as music, hydrotherapy, effleurage, counterpressure, and TENS units are beneficial and can include the support of a partner. Limiting bath time to 15 minutes and discouraging music are not general rules, and high-intensity electrical impulses are not an accurate description for TENS.

Step-by-step explanation:

Accurate information regarding nonpharmacologic pain relief during labor includes a variety of methods that promote comfort and facilitate a more natural birthing experience. Contrary to the statement that music must be discouraged, it is generally accepted that women in labor can benefit from listening to music provided by a support person as long as it does not intrude on others or disrupt hospital routine. It is important to note that sitting in a bathtub can indeed be beneficial during labor, and while there may be time recommendations or restrictions, specifically limiting immersion to 15 minutes is not an established rule. Regarding pain relief strategies, effleurage, which is light massage or touch, is typically seen as a helpful technique, and counterpressure can also be beneficial for some women to alleviate back pain during contractions, contradicting the claim that it is counterproductive. Furthermore, the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) units, which involve attaching electrodes to the skin to deliver low-level electrical impulses, is a recognized technique for pain relief that may help in the release of endorphins, although the description provided in the question regarding 'high-intensity' impulses is not accurate.