Excessive anxiety during labor heightens the client's sensitivity ...

[Marty]

Excessive anxiety during labor heightens the client's sensitivity to pain by increasing:
 
  a. muscle tension.
  b. the pain threshold.
  c. blood flow to the uterus.
  d. rest time between contractions.

Question 2

Which fetal position may cause the laboring client more back discomfort?
 
  a. Left occiput anterior
  b. Left occiput posterior
  c. Right occiput anterior
  d. Right occiput transverse

[Ahnyah]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Anxiety and fear increase muscle tension, diverting oxygenated blood to the woman's brain and skeletal muscles. Prolonged tension results in general fatigue, increased pain perception, and reduced ability to use coping skills. Anxiety will decrease the pain threshold. Anxiety can decrease blood flow to the uterus. Anxiety will decrease the amount of rest the mother gets between contractions.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
In the left occiput posterior position, each contraction pushes the fetal head against the mother's sacrum, which results in intense back discomfort. Back labor is seen mostly when the fetus is in the posterior position.