Question

With regard to the process of augmentation of labor, the nurse should be aware that it:

a. Is part of the active management of labor that is instituted when the labor process is unsatisfactory.
b. Relies on more invasive methods when oxytocin and amniotomy have failed.
c. Is a modern management term to cover up the negative connotations of forceps-assisted birth.
d. Uses vacuum cups.

Answer 1

The augmentation of labor involves active management including the administration of synthetic oxytocin, or Pitocin, to stimulate contractions and progress labor when it is unsatisfactory, without immediately resorting to more invasive methods.

Step-by-step explanation:

With regard to the process of augmentation of labor, the nurse should be aware that it is part of the active management of labor that is instituted when the labor process is unsatisfactory. Augmentation of labor involves medical interventions such as the administration of synthetic oxytocin, known as Pitocin, to stimulate uterine contractions when labor has begun but is not progressing as expected. This pharmaceutical agent acts similarly to natural oxytocin released by the posterior pituitary, which increases in secretion near the time of labor and enhances the force and frequency of uterine contractions. Furthermore, the use of Pitocin is based on understanding the body's hormones, especially oxytocin and prostaglandins, which play critical roles in initiating and maintaining labor. This intervention is aimed at assisting the delivery without necessarily relying on more invasive methods like forceps or vacuum cups, except when absolutely necessary to assist birth.