What action should be taken if contractions exceed 6 times per hour and last longer than 30 seconds?

What action should be taken if contractions exceed 6 times per hour and last longer than 30 seconds?

• A. Evaluate for true labor
• B. Wait and monitor
• C. Discharge home
• D. Ignore

Answer: (A)

Contractions that occur more than six times per hour and last longer than 30 seconds suggest the onset of true labor rather than Braxton Hicks contractions. True labor is typically regular, increases in frequency, lasts longer, and grows in intensity, with progressive cervical dilation and effacement over time. Because this pattern points toward labor, the appropriate action is to evaluate for true labor. That evaluation includes tracking contraction pattern and intensity, performing a cervical assessment to look for dilation and effacement, and monitoring the fetal heart rate and uterine activity to determine whether labor has begun or if there’s another concern. Waiting, discharging home, or ignoring the pattern could delay essential care and risk progression of labor or complications.

Contractions that occur more than six times per hour and last longer than 30 seconds suggest the onset of true labor rather than Braxton Hicks contractions. True labor is typically regular, increases in frequency, lasts longer, and grows in intensity, with progressive cervical dilation and effacement over time. Because this pattern points toward labor, the appropriate action is to evaluate for true labor. That evaluation includes tracking contraction pattern and intensity, performing a cervical assessment to look for dilation and effacement, and monitoring the fetal heart rate and uterine activity to determine whether labor has begun or if there’s another concern. Waiting, discharging home, or ignoring the pattern could delay essential care and risk progression of labor or complications.