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
A shrill cry may indicate distress but isn't specifically related to hypoglycemia in newborns.
Choice B rationale
Weak peripheral pulses are more commonly associated with circulatory or cardiac issues rather than hypoglycemia.
Choice C rationale
Yellowish skin suggests jaundice, which is due to elevated bilirubin levels, not hypoglycemia.
Choice D rationale
Hypotonia, or decreased muscle tone, can be a sign of hypoglycemia in newborns, indicating a need to check blood glucose levels.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Informing the client to expect dark-colored stools is inaccurate for methotrexate administration. Dark stools typically indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, not a side effect of methotrexate.
Choice B rationale
Wearing two pairs of gloves is necessary when handling methotrexate as it is a cytotoxic drug. This protects healthcare workers from accidental exposure to the medication, which can be harmful.
Choice C rationale
Methotrexate is typically administered intramuscularly or orally, not subcutaneously. Administering it subcutaneously is incorrect and would not be effective for treating an ectopic pregnancy.
Choice D rationale
While it is essential to counsel the client on safe intercourse practices, instructing to use a condom for only 7 days post-administration is not specific or relevant to the methotrexate therapy for ectopic pregnancy.