Vaginal Examination Simulation Using Citrus Fruit to Simulate Cervical Dilation and Effacement

Cureus. 2015 Sep 1;7(9):e314. doi: 10.7759/cureus.314.

Abstract

This technical report describes the creation and use of a cervical dilation and effacement model in a pre-licensure nursing course in reproductive health. Vaginal examination is typically taught in reproductive health courses; however, nursing students do not always have sufficient opportunity to practice on actual patients. This low-cost task-training model provides undergraduate nursing students the opportunity to experience performing a vaginal examination to assess for cervical dilation and effacement during the labor process.

Keywords: cervical dilation; cervical effacement; intrapartum vaginal examination; nursing education; nursing simulation; pre-licensure nursing education.