A nurse is caring for a patient who is 6 centimeters dilated. The nurse should follow the protocol for care of the patient in
Explanation
• The patient is in the active phase of the first stage of labor when the cervix is dilated from 5 to 8 centimeters.
• The first stage of labor is the period from onset of true labor to full cervical dilatation. This stage has three phases: latent, active, and transition.
• Incorrect: The latent phase begins at the onset of regular uterine contractions and ends with rapid cervical dilatation of 1 to 5 centimeters. Contractions occur every 15 to 30 minutes and are 15 to 30 seconds in duration with mild intensity.
• Incorrect: The transition phase is the last and final phase of the first stage of labor. During this phase, contractions reach their peak and intensity, occurring every 2 to 3 minutes. Cervical dilatation increases from 8 to 10 centimeters.