Nokea
What assessment should be taken immediately after the anesthesiologist administers an epidural block to a laboring woman?
- A. Bladder for distention
- B. Blood pressure
- C. Sensation in the lower extremities
- D. Intravenous fluid flow rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Blood pressure is checked every 5 minutes when the epidural block is first begun. Bladder assessment is also important but not an initial assessment.
You may also like to solve these questions
What would the nurse guide a labor coach to do to comfort a woman tensing her muscles with contractions?
- A. Offer warm liquids to the patient.
- B. Encourage the patient to pant.
- C. Engage the patient in conversation.
- D. Assist the patient to the knee-chest position.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Panting relaxes the abdominal wall and distracts the patient. It would not be helpful to offer fluids or to attempt conversation during contractions.
A patient who received an epidural block asks why her blood pressure is taken so often. What is the nurse's best response to explain the frequent blood pressure assessments?
- A. They ensure that unsafe levels of hypertension do not occur.
- B. They help assess for the need for further pain relief.
- C. They monitor the progress of labor.
- D. They ensure adequate placental perfusion.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The hypotension that accompanies an epidural block may cause inadequate perfusion of the placenta, leading to fetal hypoxia.
The nurse is caring for a laboring patient who is not reporting pain. What sign would alert the nurse of the need for pain relief?
- A. Frequently asking for ice chips
- B. Facial grimacing
- C. Changing positions in bed
- D. Covering her face with her hands
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facial grimacing may be an indicator of unexpressed pain.
A nurse instructs a woman's labor coach to comfort her by firmly pressing on her lower back. What is this technique?
- A. Sacral pressure
- B. Distraction
- C. Effleurage
- D. Conscious relaxation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sacral pressure refers to firm pressure against the lower back to relieve some of the pain of back labor.
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.