Final answer:
In an emergency delivery when crowning occurs, the LPN should apply gentle pressure to the baby's head. Crowning indicates the second stage of labor, where the baby is being expelled from the uterus and synthetic oxytocin might be used to enhance contractions if labor stalls.
Step-by-step explanation:
During an emergency delivery when the head of the baby is crowning, the most appropriate action for an LPN to take would be to apply gentle pressure to the head. This helps to ease the baby's head out slowly, reducing the risk of tearing the perineum. Encouraging the woman to push should be guided and in coordination with the contractions, and inserting fingers may not be necessary or appropriate unless assessing for dilation or other clinical reasons. Leaving the head as it is and waiting for the next contraction might also be an option if the delivery is progressing normally and there is no need for intervention.
Crowning signifies that the baby's head is visible through the vaginal opening at the peak of a contraction, indicating that delivery is imminent. Once the cervix is fully dilated, the uterus contracts and the mother will use her abdominal muscles to help aid the delivery during the second stage of labor.
If labor should stop before reaching the active phase of stage two, synthetic oxytocin, such as Pitocin, may be administered to restart and sustain contractions. This synthetic hormone replicates the effects of natural oxytocin, which stimulates contractions and supports the process of childbirth.