A patient in labor is prescribed transcutaneous electrical nerve ...

[Yolanda]

A patient in labor is prescribed transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to help with pain relief during labor. How should the nurse explain the process of pain relief with this method?
 
  A) Counterirritation stimulation blocks pain from traveling to the spinal cord.
  B) Needles are inserted along meridians to release endorphins and control pain.
  C) A machine is used to measure the patient's ability to relax during contractions.
  D) Small injections of sterile saline reduce are used to reduce the amount of back pain.

Question 2

A woman's amniotic fluid is noted to be cloudy. The nurse interprets this finding as which of the following?
 
  A) Normal
  B) Possible infection
  C) Meconium passage
  D) Transient fetal hypoxia

[tsternbergh47]

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) works to relieve pain by applying counterirritation to nociceptors. Low-intensity electrical stimulation blocks the afferent fibers, preventing pain from traveling to the spinal cord synapses from the uterus. Needles being inserted along meridians to release endorphins explain acupuncture. A machine to measure the patient's ability to relax during contractions explains biofeedback. Small injections of saline to reduce back pain explain intracutaneous nerve stimulation.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
Amniotic fluid should be clear when the membranes rupture, either spontaneously or artificially through an amniotomy (a disposable plastic hook Amnihook is used to perforate the amniotic sac). Cloudy or foul-smelling amniotic fluid indicates infection. Green fluid may indicate that the fetus has passed meconium secondary to transient hypoxia, prolonged pregnancy, cord compression, intrauterine growth restriction, maternal hypertension, diabetes, or chorioamnionitis; however, it is considered a normal occurrence if the fetus is in a breech presentation.