NCLEX-CGFNS: Obstetric - Basic Concepts

There are basic concepts in obstetrics that nurse should learn as preparation for NCLEX-CGFNS exams. Some questions in real NCLEX or CGFNS exams are based on this concepts. The concepts are contained in the acronym:

O-B-S-T-E-T-R-I-C-S

O: oxytocin is used to induce uterine contractions

B: bleeding disorder: placenta previa causes painless bright red vaginal bleeding while abruption placenta causes painful dark red vaginal bleeding

S: substance abuse during pregnancy: fetal alcohol syndrome (small for gestational age) and reslessnes in infants born of cocain-addicted mothers.

T: teratogen agents should be avoided such as: accutan, alcohol, MMR, OPV, cigarettes, etc)


E: Exercises:

• Squatting: to stretches the perineal muscles
• Abdominal muscle contractions: to help strengthen the abdominal muscles.
• Pelvic floor contraction (Kegel's exercises): to help prevent stress incontinence.
• Pelvic rocking: to helps relieve backache.

T: true labor must be differentiated from false labor in which in true labor the progressive cervical changes are occurred.

R: ritodrine is used to prevent preterm labor.

I: infections like TORCH (Toxoplasmosis, Other infections, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes) can cause abortions, malformation, and fetal death.

C: contraction of client should be assessed.

• Duration of contraction: the time from the beginning to the end of the same contraction.
• Frequency of contraction: the time from the beginning of the first contraction to the beginning of the next contraction.
• Interval of contraction: the time from the end of the first contraction to the beginning of the next contraction.

S: stage of labor:

1. First Stage: from the onset of true labor contractions to the complete dilatation of cervix.
2. Second Stage: from the complete dilatation of the cervix to the delivery of the baby.
3. Third Stage: from the delivery of the baby to the delivery of the placenta.
4. Fourth Stage: first few hours after delivery