Nokea
Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action for a patient who has been administered an epidural block and is now experiencing hypotension?
- A. Administer a bolus of IV fluids
- B. Place the patient in a Trendelenburg position
- C. Administer oxygen via mask
- D. Raise the head of the bed slightly
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer a bolus of IV fluids. Hypotension after an epidural block is often due to vasodilation caused by the block. Administering IV fluids can help increase blood volume and improve blood pressure. This action is crucial in maintaining perfusion to vital organs.
Choice B: Placing the patient in a Trendelenburg position can potentially worsen hypotension by increasing venous return to the heart, leading to further vasodilation and reduced blood pressure.
Choice C: Administering oxygen via mask may be important in some situations but is not the primary intervention for hypotension caused by epidural block.
Choice D: Raising the head of the bed slightly is not the best option for treating hypotension as it does not address the underlying cause of vasodilation and decreased blood pressure.
You may also like to solve these questions
A couple is preparing to interview obstetric primary care providers to determine who they will go to for care during their pregnancy and delivery.
- A. Take a tour of hospital delivery areas.
- B. Develop a preliminary birth plan.
- C. Make appointments with three or four obstetric care providers.
- D. Search the Internet for the malpractice histories of the providers.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Developing a preliminary birth plan helps couples clarify their preferences and priorities, facilitating better communication with potential providers.
A woman delivers a fetal demise that has lanugo covering the entire body, nails that are present on the fingers and toes, but eyes that are still fused. Prior to the death, the mother stated that she had felt quickening. Based on this information, the nurse knows that the baby is about how many weeks’ gestation?
- A. 15 weeks.
- B. 22 weeks.
- C. 29 weeks.
- D. 36 weeks.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lanugo typically appears around 16-20 weeks and covers the entire body by 22-24 weeks. Nails begin forming at around 18-20 weeks and are fully developed by 22 weeks. Fused eyelids occur up until about 24-26 weeks, after which they open. Quickening (feeling of fetal movement) usually occurs between 18-22 weeks in first-time pregnancies. Therefore, the most likely gestational age is 22 weeks.
A nurse is preparing to administer a postpartum tetanus shot. What is the most important action before administering the shot?
- A. verify the person's immunization status
- B. assess the person's blood pressure
- C. assess for uterine atony
- D. prepare for a cesarean section
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale:
C is correct because assessing for uterine atony is crucial before administering a postpartum tetanus shot to ensure no postpartum hemorrhage risk. Uterine atony can lead to excessive bleeding, which can be exacerbated by the tetanus shot.
Summary:
A - Verifying immunization status is important but not the most immediate action.
B - Assessing blood pressure is important but not directly related to the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
D - Preparing for a cesarean section is not necessary for administering a postpartum tetanus shot.
The nurse is assessing a pregnant patient who is at 14 weeks gestation and reports light vaginal bleeding. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Monitor the patient's blood pressure and check for protein in the urine.
- B. Call the healthcare provider immediately to assess for miscarriage.
- C. Encourage the patient to rest and wait for symptoms to resolve.
- D. Perform a pelvic exam to check for cervical dilation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Call the healthcare provider immediately to assess for miscarriage. The priority action in this scenario is to promptly notify the healthcare provider to assess for potential complications like miscarriage, which could be life-threatening to the patient or fetus. This step ensures timely intervention and appropriate management. Monitoring blood pressure and urine for protein (Choice A) is important but not the immediate priority. Encouraging rest and waiting for symptoms to resolve (Choice C) may delay necessary medical intervention. Performing a pelvic exam (Choice D) could potentially worsen the situation if miscarriage is occurring. Thus, calling the healthcare provider for assessment is the most appropriate and urgent action to take in this situation.
A 30-year-old pregnant patient is at 36 weeks gestation and expresses concerns about swelling in her legs. Which of the following assessments is most important for the nurse to make?
- A. Assess the patient's weight gain during the pregnancy.
- B. Examine the legs for any signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- C. Instruct the patient to elevate her legs and rest.
- D. Evaluate the patient's dietary intake of sodium.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Examine the legs for any signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). At 36 weeks gestation, pregnant women are at higher risk for DVT due to increased blood volume and pressure on the veins from the growing uterus. DVT can be life-threatening if not detected early. Assessing for any signs of DVT such as redness, warmth, swelling, or pain in the legs is crucial for prompt intervention.
Incorrect choices:
A: Assessing weight gain is important but not the priority in this situation where DVT is a concern.
C: Instructing the patient to elevate her legs and rest can help with swelling but does not address the potential serious complication of DVT.
D: Evaluating dietary intake of sodium is not the priority in this situation where DVT is a concern.