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The laboring client is experiencing problems, and the nurse is concerned about possible side effects from the epidural anesthetic just administered. Which problems should the nurse attribute to the epidural anesthetic? Select all that apply.
- A. Has breakthrough sharp pain
- B. Blood pressure is increased
- C. Has a pounding headache
- D. Unable to feel a full bladder
- E. Has an elevated temperature
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Breakthrough pain can occur when the continuous infusion rate of the anesthetic agent is below the recommended rate for a therapeutic dose. Breakthrough pain can also occur when the client has a full bladder or when the cervix is completely dilated. A spinal headache can be a complication of epidural anesthesia and occurs when the dura is accidently punctured during epidural placement. A sensory level of T10 is usually maintained during epidural anesthesia; most women are unable to feel a full bladder or to void after receiving an epidural anesthetic. Maternal temperature may be elevated to 100.1°F (37.8°C) or higher with an epidural. Sympathetic blockade may decrease sweat production and diminish heat loss. Hypertension is a contraindication for epidural anesthesia. A major side effect of epidural anesthesia is hypotension (not hypertension) caused by a spinal blockade, which lowers peripheral resistance, decreases venous return to the heart, and subsequently lessens cardiac output and lowers BP.
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The nurse correctly explains that fertilization usually takes place in which structure?
- A. Fallopian tube
- B. Ovary
- C. Uterus
- D. Vagina
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fertilization typically occurs in the fallopian tube, where the sperm meets the ovum after ovulation.
The nurse, admitting a 40-week primigravida to the labor unit, just documented the results of a recent vaginal exam: 3/100/—2, RSP. How should the oncoming shift nurse interpret this documentation?
- A. The fetus is approximately 2 cm below maternal ischial spines.
- B. The cervix is totally dilated and effaced, with fetal engagement.
- C. The fetus is breech and posterior to the client’s pelvis.
- D. The fetal lie is transverse, and the fetal attitude is flexion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should interpret 3/100/—2, RSP as the cervix is 3 cm dilated, 100% effaced, and the fetus is 2 cm above the maternal ischial spines. RSP means that the fetus is to the right of the mother’s pelvis (R), with the sacrum as the specific presenting part (S), which is a breech position. This fetus is also posterior (P). At —2, the fetus is 2 cm above, not below, the maternal ischial spines. Two centimeters below the ischial spines would be recorded as +2. The cervix is 3 cm, not totally dilated. Total dilation would be documented as 10 for the first number. Also, the cervix is 100% effaced, which is total effacement (shortening and thinning out). Fetal lie (relationship of long axis or spine of fetus to long axis of mother) is longitudinal, not transverse. The documentation does not specify if the fetal attitude is flexion.
The nurse is caring for the client who has been in the second stage of labor for the last 12 hours. The nurse should monitor for which cardiovascular change that occurs during this stage of labor?
- A. An increase in maternal heart rate
- B. A decrease in the cardiac output
- C. An increase in the white blood cell (WBC) count
- D. A decreased intravascular volume during contractions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Maternal HR is normally increased due to pain resulting from increased catecholamine secretion, fear, anxiety, and increased blood volume. When the laboring client holds her breath and pushes against a closed glottis, intrathoracic pressure rises. Blood in the lungs is forced into the left atrium, leading to a transient increase (not decrease) in cardiac output. Although the WBCS increase to 25,000/mm3 to 30,000/mm3 during labor and early postpartum as a physiological response to stress, this is not a cardiovascular change. During the second stage of labor, the maternal intravascular volume is increased (not decreased) by 300 to 500 mL of blood from the contracting uterus.
The postpartum client suffered a fourth-degree perineal laceration during her vaginal birth. Which interventions should the nurse add to the client’s plan of care? Select all that apply.
- A. Limit ambulation to bathroom privileges only.
- B. Decrease fluid intake to 1000 mL every 24 hours.
- C. Instruct the client on a high-fiber diet.
- D. Monitor the uterus for firmness every 2 hours.
- E. Give pm prescribed stool softeners in the am. and at h.s.
Correct Answer: C,E
Rationale: Activity should be increased, not decreased, to reduce the potential for constipation. Fluids should be increased, not decreased, to reduce the potential for dehydration and constipation. The client with a fourth-degree perineal laceration should be instructed to increase dietary fiber to help maintain bowel continence and decrease perineal trauma from constipation. A perineal laceration will not affect the condition of the uterus; there is no need to increase uterine monitoring. The client with a fourth-degree perineal laceration should be given a stool softener bid to help maintain bowel continence and decrease perineal trauma from constipation.
The pregnant client has been pushing for 2½ hours. After some difficulty, the large fetal head emerges. The HCP attempts to deliver the shoulders without success. Place the nurse’s actions in caring for this client in the correct sequence.
- A. Apply suprapubic pressure per direction of the HCP.
- B. Place the client in exaggerated lithotomy position.
- C. Catheterize the client’s bladder.
- D. Call for the neonatal resuscitation team to be present.
- E. Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth.
Correct Answer: D,B,A,C,E
Rationale: Call for the neonatal resuscitation team to be present because of fetal distress. Place the client in exaggerated lithotomy position so the McRoberts’ maneuver can be performed (flexing her thighs sharply on her abdomen may widen the pelvic outlet and let the anterior shoulder be delivered). Apply suprapubic pressure per direction of the HCP. This is completed in an effort to dislodge the shoulder from under the pubic bone. Catheterize the client’s bladder. This will empty the bladder to make more room for the fetal head. Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth. This will be performed if all efforts for a vaginal birth fail.