Question

You respond to a call for a patient in active labor with her second child. Your interview with the patient shows that she is 40 weeks pregnant and has been in active labor for several hours. You determine that her vital signs are all within normal limits. After your physical exam, you determine the baby is crowning. You should next:

A. begin transport and plan to deliver in the ambulance.
B. delay delivery until arrival at the hospital.
C. prepare to deliver the baby on-scene.
D. contact medical direction for orders.

Answer 1

When the baby is crowning, immediate preparation for on-scene delivery is necessary, as there may not be enough time to safely transport the mother to a hospital.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you respond to a call for a patient in active labor and after your physical exam you determine that the baby is crowning, you should prepare to deliver the baby on-scene. This is because when the baby is crowning, this indicates that the mother is in the second stage of labor.

The baby is very close to being born, and there may not be enough time to transport the patient to a hospital before the baby arrives. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you and your team are ready to perform a delivery on-site with the appropriate equipment and sanitization practices in place to minimize any risks to the mother and newborn.