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 A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Checking fetal heart tones is the priority to assess the well-being of the fetus, especially in breech presentation and after the membranes have ruptured.
Choice B rationale
Preparing for a cesarean birth is important but follows the assessment of fetal heart tones and other immediate measures.
Choice C rationale
Checking the color, amount, and odor of the fluid is important, but ensuring fetal heart tones comes first to monitor any distress.
Choice D rationale
Performing a Nitrazine test to assess for rupture of membranes is redundant once the client reports her water has broken.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Obtain a prescription for a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
The client's fever (38.5°C), chills, abdominal pain, malodorous lochia, and tender fundus suggest a potential postpartum infection, such as endometritis. Administering a broad-spectrum antibiotic is necessary to treat the infection. Given the clinical scenario, the nurse should prioritize addressing the client's symptoms and signs that suggest infection and support her well-being postpartum. Here's a breakdown of the appropriate actions:
B. Initiate airborne isolation precautions.
-
Not necessary in this case. The client's symptoms and signs do not suggest an airborne infectious disease.
C. Place the client on strict bedrest.
-
This is not necessary. While rest is important, strict bedrest may not be required and could increase the risk of other complications, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
D. Instruct the client to stop breastfeeding.
-
Not necessary unless there is a specific contraindication. Instead, the nurse can provide support and advice on managing engorgement and breastfeeding difficulties.