Maternity Nursing: Intrapartum Q 51

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A nurse is reviewing the record of a client in the labor room and notes that the nurse-midwife has documented that the fetus is at (-1) station. The nurse determines that the fetal presenting part is:

  

     A. 1 cm above the ischial spine

     B. 1 fingerbreadth below the symphysis pubis

     C. 1 inch below the coccyx

     D. 1 inch below the iliac crest

    

    

Correct Answer: A. 1 cm above the ischial spine

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Station is the relationship of the presenting part to an imaginary line drawn between the ischial spines, is measured in centimeters, and is noted as a negative number above the line and a positive number below the line. At -1 station, the fetal presenting part is 1 cm above the ischial spines.

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Option B: The doctor will assign a number from -5 to +5 to describe where the baby is in relation to the ischial spines. The ischial spines are bony protrusions located in the narrowest part of the pelvis. During a vaginal exam, the doctor will feel for the baby’s head. If the head is high and not yet engaged in the birth canal, it may float away from their fingers.

Option C: When the baby’s head is level with the ischial spines, the fetal station is zero. Once the baby’s head fills the vaginal opening, just before birth, the fetal station is +5.

Option D: Usually about two weeks before delivery, the baby will drop into the birth canal. This is called being “engaged.” At this point, the baby is at station 0. This drop into the birth canal is called a lightening.

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