Final answer:
A nurse would expect to find a 'bloody show' in a woman with cervical dilation and effacement, indicating that true labor is imminent or has begun, and preparations for childbirth are proceeding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assessment finding a nurse expects in a woman with cervical dilation and effacement is a. Bloody show. The bloody show occurs when the plug of mucus that has been blocking the cervical canal during pregnancy loosens and is expelled. This often accompanies a small amount of blood and is a sign that true labor is imminent or has begun. It is one of the indicators along with regular contractions that dilation and effacement of the cervix are progressing in preparation for childbirth.
During the first stage of labor, the cervix thins out (effacement) and opens (dilation) to allow the baby to move into the birth canal. The so-called 'bloody show' is a result of these changes and is considered a sign that labor will be starting soon. The loss of the mucus plug and the accompanying bloody show can happen approximately 1-2 days before the onset of true labor. True labor is characterized by cervical stretching which in turn triggers more powerful uterine contractions leading to further dilation and effacement.