Nokea
A woman in labor has had an epidural block for pain relief. The nurse will be assessing carefully for what associated side effect of this type of regional anesthesia?
- A. Reduced fetal heart rate
- B. Long, intense contractions
- C. Sudden leg cramps
- D. Bladder distention
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A side effect of an epidural block is urine retention, because the anesthesia interferes with the woman's ability to have an urge to void. The patient may have to be catheterized.
You may also like to solve these questions
How does the pain of childbirth differ from other types of pain? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Childbirth pain is part of a normal process.
- B. Childbirth pain seldom needs narcotic relief.
- C. Position changes relieve pain and facilitate delivery.
- D. Childbirth pain declines following birth.
- E. Childbirth pain is self-limited.
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Childbirth pain differs from other types of pain, because it is part of a normal, natural, and expected process, can be relieved by change of position, declines immediately following birth, and is self-limiting. Childbirth pain requires pharmacological management with narcotics in many cases.
A laboring patient requests hot and cold applications be applied to her abdomen for pain control. How will this intervention act to control pain?
- A. By increasing endorphin production
- B. By facilitating effacement and dilation
- C. By producing increasing pain tolerance
- D. By stimulation of large nerve fibers
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The gate control theory explains how pain impulses reach the brain for interpretation. It supports several nonpharmacological methods of pain control. According to this theory, pain is transmitted through small-diameter nerve fibers. However, the stimulation of large-diameter nerve fibers temporarily interferes with the conduction of impulses through small-diameter fibers. Techniques to stimulate large-diameter fibers and 'close the gate' to painful impulses include massage, palm and fingertip pressure, and heat and cold applications.
Which narcotic antagonist is used to reverse narcotic-induced respiratory depression?
- A. Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
- B. Phenobarbital
- C. Naloxone (Narcan)
- D. Nitrous oxide
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Naloxone (Narcan) is used to reverse respiratory depression caused by narcotics.
What is the most appropriate nursing action to take when a laboring woman hyperventilates?
- A. Help her breathe into her cupped hands.
- B. Place her flat on her back.
- C. Initiate oxygen at 2 liters via mask.
- D. Notify the doctor.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Measures to combat hyperventilation include breathing into cupped hands or a paper bag or holding breath for a few seconds. All of these techniques decrease PCO2.
What breathing techniques would the nurse teach the prenatal patient to help her focus during labor in order to reduce pain? (Select all that apply.)
- A. First-stage breathing
- B. Abdominal breathing
- C. Fourth-stage breathing
- D. Modified paced breathing
- E. Patterned paced breathing
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: First-stage breathing includes the techniques of modified paced breathing and patterned paced breathing, which are types of abdominal breathing techniques. These patterns of breathing will help a woman in labor to focus and reduce pain perception. The fourth stage of labor is the woman's recovery stage and does not require a breathing technique.