A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and has received an epidural. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Decrease the maintenance infusion rate of IV fluid.
Have protamine sulfate available at the bedside.
Reposition the client side-to-side each hour.
Monitor the client for hypertension
The Correct Answer is C
A. Decrease the maintenance infusion rate of IV fluid. Epidural anesthesia can cause hypotension, so IV fluids are often used to help maintain blood pressure. Reducing the fluid rate may increase the risk of hypotensive episodes.
B. Have protamine sulfate available at the bedside. Protamine sulfate is the antidote for heparin, not relevant to epidural anesthesia. It is not required in the management of epidural-related side effects.
C. Reposition the client side-to-side each hour. Frequent repositioning helps prevent pressure injuries, promotes fetal oxygenation, and encourages effective labor progression. It also aids in the distribution of the anesthetic agent.
D. Monitor the client for hypertension. Hypotension, not hypertension, is a common adverse effect of epidural anesthesia due to vasodilation and decreased peripheral resistance. Blood pressure should be monitored closely for drops.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Boil bottle rings and nipples for 10 min to ensure sanitization. Boiling for 10 minutes is excessive and can damage bottle parts. A boil time of 5 minutes is typically sufficient for sanitizing feeding equipment before first use.
B. Keep the newborn on a strict 3 hr feeding schedule. Newborns should be fed on demand, which may be more or less frequently than every 3 hours. Hunger cues should guide feeding to promote healthy growth and bonding.
C. Use bottles of refrigerated formula within 48 hr. Prepared formula should be refrigerated and used within 48 hours to ensure safety and prevent bacterial growth. This is a safe practice when storing formula that has not been fed to the infant.
D. Place the newborn on their abdomen for 30 min following each feeding. Placing a newborn on the abdomen increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Infants should always be placed on their backs to sleep.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "Rise slowly when getting out of bed." Furosemide can lead to significant fluid and electrolyte loss, causing orthostatic hypotension. Clients may experience dizziness or lightheadedness when changing positions. Rising slowly helps prevent falls and promotes safety.
B. “Taking furosemide can cause you to be overhydrated." Furosemide is a potent diuretic that promotes fluid excretion, not retention. The risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance is much higher than overhydration. Monitoring intake and output is essential.
C. "Eat foods that are high in sodium." High sodium intake increases fluid retention, which can worsen heart failure symptoms. Furosemide is often prescribed to manage fluid overload, and sodium-rich foods would counteract its effects. A low-sodium diet is recommended.
D. “Taking furosemide can cause your potassium levels to be high." Furosemide increases the excretion of potassium through the kidneys, often leading to hypokalemia. Low potassium levels can result in muscle weakness or cardiac arrhythmias.
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