Maternity Nursing Q 102

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A client has a mid pelvic contracture from a previous pelvic injury due to a motor vehicle accident as a teenager. The nurse is aware that this could prevent a fetus from passing through or around which structure during childbirth?

  

     A. Symphysis pubis

     B. Sacral promontory

     C. Ischial spines

     D. Pubic arch

    

    

Correct Answer: C. Ischial spines

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The ischial spines are located in the mid-pelvic region and could be narrowed due to the previous pelvic injury.

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Option A: The pubic symphysis is a secondary cartilaginous joint (a joint made of hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage) located between the left and right pubic bones near the midline of the body. More specifically, it is located above any external genitalia and in front of the bladder.

Option B: Superiorly, there is an anterior projection of bone, known as the sacral promontory. It forms the posterior margin of the pelvic inlet and as a result, it is serially continuous with the margin of the ala of the sacrum, arcuate line of the ilium, and the pectin pubis and pubic crest of the pubic bone.

Option D: The pubic arch, also referred to as the ischiopubic arch, is part of the pelvis. It is formed by the convergence of the inferior rami of the ischium and pubis on either side, below the pubic symphysis. The angle at which they converge is known as the subpubic angle.

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