A nurse is assessing a client who is in active labor and just received an epidural. Which of the following findings should the nurse document as an adverse effect?
Tachypnea
Hyperreflexia
Hypothermia
Hypotension
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. Tachypnea: An increased respiratory rate is not commonly associated with epidural anesthesia and is not a typical adverse effect. It may result from anxiety or pain but does not directly indicate a problem with the epidural.
B. Hyperreflexia: Epidurals often reduce sensation and reflexes, not heighten them. Hyperreflexia is not expected and would not be a direct adverse effect of epidural administration during labor.
C. Hypothermia: While mild temperature changes may occur, hypothermia is not a common or significant adverse effect of epidural anesthesia. It is not typically monitored as a key complication.
D. Hypotension: Epidural anesthesia can cause vasodilation by blocking sympathetic nerve fibers, leading to a drop in maternal blood pressure. This is a well-known and common adverse effect requiring close monitoring and potential intervention.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Autonomy: Autonomy involves respecting a client’s right to make their own healthcare decisions. While important, this scenario concerns unequal treatment rather than limiting the clients’ decision-making rights.
B. Justice: Justice refers to fairness and equity in the distribution of healthcare resources. Providing supplies to one client based on insurance status while denying them to another reflects unequal and unethical treatment, violating the principle of justice.
C. Beneficence: Beneficence means acting in the best interest of the client by promoting well-being. Although the insured client is benefitting, failing to support the uninsured client equally undermines the overall intent to do good for all clients.
D. Nonmaleficence: Nonmaleficence is the obligation to do no harm. While denying supplies could lead to harm, the primary ethical breach in this situation lies in the unfair distribution of care, which relates more directly to justice.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Bradycardia: Ectopic pregnancy is more likely to cause tachycardia due to internal bleeding and hypovolemia from tubal rupture. Bradycardia is not a typical finding and would suggest a different or more advanced issue.
B. Hypertension: Hypotension, not hypertension, may occur in cases of significant bleeding from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Elevated blood pressure is not a hallmark sign of this condition.
C. Hydramnios: Hydramnios refers to excessive amniotic fluid and is associated with fetal anomalies or maternal diabetes. It is unrelated to ectopic pregnancy, where implantation occurs outside the uterine cavity.
D. Abdominal pain: Sharp or stabbing abdominal or pelvic pain is a classic symptom of ectopic pregnancy. It may be accompanied by vaginal bleeding and referred shoulder pain if internal bleeding irritates the diaphragm.
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