NREMT Paramedic Practice

Cephalopelvic disproportion refers to which of the following conditions?

1. The mother’s birth canal is too large

2. The newborn's head is too large or the mother's birth canal is too small

3. The infant's shoulders are wedged against the maternal pelvis

4. The fetus is in a transverse position

The correct answer is: The newborn's head is too large or the mother's birth canal is too small

Cephalopelvic disproportion specifically refers to the situation wherein the size of the newborn's head is too large relative to the size of the mother's birth canal, or conversely, where the birth canal is too small to accommodate a normally sized head. This condition often leads to complications during labor, as it can impede the progression of delivery and may necessitate interventions such as a cesarean section. Understanding this condition is critical for healthcare professionals as it influences the management of labor and delivery. In this context, the factor of disproportion can derive from either the size of the head or the dimensions of the birth canal, making it essential to assess both in cases of prolonged labor or other signs of obstructed labor. The other choices presented do not accurately describe cephalopelvic disproportion; for example, the notion of a large birth canal does not align with the definition, and the scenarios of the infant's shoulders being wedged or the fetus being in a transverse position pertain to different labor complications entirely. These conditions indicate other specific issues but do not define cephalopelvic disproportion itself.