Question

Which action(s) will the nurse take when asked to apply suprapubic pressure during a birth with shoulder dystocia?

A) Press above the symphysis pubis with the heel of the hand
B) Push downward toward the mother's feet
C) Use the fingers to compress the fetal shoulder toward the chest
D) Apply pressure while the healthcare provider maneuvers the baby's shoulders
E) Release pressure once the baby's head is delivered

Answer 1

When dealing with shoulder dystocia during childbirth, the nurse is to apply suprapubic pressure above the symphysis pubis, push downward toward the mother's feet, and coordinate with the healthcare provider, without releasing the pressure until the situation is resolved.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse is asked to apply suprapubic pressure during a birth with shoulder dystocia, the following actions should be taken:

• Press above the symphysis pubis with the heel of the hand.
• Push downward toward the mother's feet.
• Apply pressure while the healthcare provider maneuvers the baby's shoulders.
• Do not release pressure until the shoulder dystocia is resolved, not simply when the baby's head is delivered.

The main goal of applying suprapubic pressure is to reduce the shoulder width by either pushing the fetal anterior shoulder downward so it slips under the pubic symphysis or by rotating the shoulder, helping resolve the dystocia. The pressure should be firm and directed towards the maternal pelvis rather than straight down on the baby. This maneuver requires coordination with the healthcare provider who may be performing other techniques to alleviate the shoulder dystocia.