A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labor and is scheduled to receive epidural anesthesia.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Monitor blood pressure every 30 minutes following epidural placement.
Administer lactated Ringer's 500 mL bolus via intermittent IV infusion prior to epidural placement.
Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min prior to epidural placement.
Reposition the client every hour following epidural placement.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Monitoring blood pressure every 30 minutes following epidural placement is important but not the initial action. Epidural anesthesia can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure, so
frequent monitoring is crucial. However, the initial step should focus on preventing hypotension.
Choice B rationale
Administering lactated Ringer's 500 mL bolus via intermittent IV infusion prior to epidural placement helps in maintaining blood pressure. Epidural anesthesia can cause vasodilation,
leading to hypotension. Preloading with fluids ensures adequate blood volume and reduces the risk of a significant drop in blood pressure.
Choice C rationale
Administering oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min prior to epidural placement is not necessary unless the client has respiratory complications. Oxygen supplementation is used to
treat or prevent hypoxia, which is not a primary concern in this scenario.
Choice D rationale
Repositioning the client every hour following epidural placement is important to ensure even distribution of the anesthetic and prevent pressure sores. However, this is not the initial
action to take for preventing hypotension.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign of pregnancy as it indicates the presence of hCG, a hormone produced during pregnancy. However, it is not a presumptive sign, as other
conditions can also result in elevated hCG levels.
Choice B rationale
Amenorrhea, or the absence of menstrual periods, is a presumptive sign of pregnancy. It is one of the earliest indications that a woman may be pregnant, though it can also be
caused by other factors such as stress or hormonal imbalances.
Choice C rationale
Fetal heart sounds detected by Doppler ultrasound are a positive sign of pregnancy, confirming the presence of a fetus. This is not a presumptive sign as it is direct evidence of
pregnancy.
Choice D rationale
Chadwick's sign, a bluish discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and labia due to increased blood flow, is considered a probable sign of pregnancy. It is not a presumptive sign but rather
a physical change that occurs during pregnancy. .
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Wound infection usually presents with redness, warmth, and swelling, not just yellow exudate. The presence of yellow exudate alone typically does not indicate an infection.
Choice B rationale
Ulceration would involve the breakdown of skin or tissue, which is not indicated by the presence of yellow exudate. Ulcerations are more severe and painful than normal post-
circumcision healing.
Choice C rationale
Exposure to urine can cause irritation but does not typically result in yellow exudate. Proper diapering and cleaning prevent this irritation, and exudate is part of the healing process,
not a result of urine exposure.
Choice D rationale
Healing is indicated by the presence of yellow exudate, which is a normal part of the healing process post-circumcision. It signifies that the glans is recovering as expected. .