Maternal Monitoring During Labor Related

Review Maternal Monitoring During Labor related questions and content

A laboring person requests an epidural for pain relief. What is the nurse's priority action before the procedure?

  • A. administer a test dose of anesthesia
  • B. ensure informed consent is obtained
  • C. administer IV fluids
  • D. ensure continuous fetal monitoring
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: administer a test dose of anesthesia. Before administering an epidural, it is crucial to perform a test dose to assess the person's response and ensure correct placement of the catheter. This step helps prevent potential complications such as unintentional intravascular injection.

Summary:
B: Ensuring informed consent is important but not the priority before administering the test dose.
C: Administering IV fluids is important for hydration but not the immediate priority before the test dose.
D: Continuous fetal monitoring is essential during labor, but it is not the priority before administering the test dose of anesthesia.