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 D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Instituting droplet precautions is not necessary for herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids or lesions, not through respiratory droplets.
Choice B rationale
Administering ceftriaxone sodium is not appropriate for HSV. Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, whereas HSV is a viral infection and requires antiviral treatment.
Choice C rationale
Informing the client they should bottlefeed the newborn is not necessary. Mothers with HSV can breastfeed as long as there are no herpetic lesions on the breast. Proper hand hygiene and preventive measures should be taken to avoid transmission.
Choice D rationale
Obtaining surface cultures from the newborn is the appropriate action. This helps in detecting the presence of HSV and initiating antiviral treatment if necessary. Early detection and treatment are crucial in preventing severe complications associated with neonatal HSV infection.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Feeding from only one breast can lead to engorgement and a decrease in milk supply in the affected breast. It is important to continue breastfeeding from both breasts, even if one is infected.
Choice B rationale
Discarding milk is not necessary and can lead to a decrease in milk supply. The infection does not harm the baby, and breastfeeding helps to drain the breast and clear the infection.
Choice C rationale
Moist heat can help to increase blood flow and promote healing in the affected breast. Applying warm compresses or taking warm showers can help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with mastitis.
Choice D rationale
While staying hydrated is important for overall health, there is no specific requirement to drink at least 1500 milliliters of fluid per day for mastitis. Adequate fluid intake should be maintained, but there is no direct correlation with resolving the infection.