The nurse should realize that the most common and potentially harmful maternal complication of epidural anesthesia is:

Limited perception of bladder fullness.

Severe afterbirth headache.

Hypotension.

Increased respiratory rate.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale
Limited perception of bladder fullness can occur with epidural anesthesia, but it is not the most common or harmful complication. Patients should be monitored for urinary retention.
Choice B rationale
Severe afterbirth headache, or post-dural puncture headache, can result from epidural complications, but it is less common than hypotension.
Choice C rationale
Hypotension is the most common and potentially harmful complication of epidural anesthesia. It occurs due to sympathetic nerve blockade, leading to vasodilation and decreased cardiac output. Normal blood pressure ranges: systolic 90-120 mmHg, diastolic 60-80 mmHg.
Choice D rationale
Increased respiratory rate is not a common complication of epidural anesthesia. It is more likely related to anxiety or other factors and should be monitored accordingly.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Placental insufficiency leads to late decelerations due to diminished blood flow, resulting in gradual decreases in fetal heart rate. This differs from the abrupt changes seen with cord compression.
Choice B rationale
Abruption manifests with symptoms such as painful bleeding and uterine tenderness, rather than specific heart rate patterns like those caused by cord compression.
Choice C rationale
Head compression produces early decelerations with a characteristic mirror image of contractions, unlike the abrupt heart rate drops seen with cord compression.
Choice D rationale
Cord compression results in variable decelerations, which are abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate due to intermittent reductions in oxygen supply. This matches the tracing pattern described.

A. The cervix is effaced 3 cm, it is dilated 30%, and the presenting part is 2 cm above the ischial spines. B. The cervix is 3 cm dilated, it is effaced 30%, and the presenting part is 2 cm above the ischial spines. C. The cervix is effaced 3 cm, it is dilated 30%, and the presenting part is 2 cm below the ischial spines. D. The cervix is dilated 3 cm, it is effaced 30%, and the presenting part is 2 cm below the ischial spines.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
The cervix is measured in dilation, not effacement, in centimeters. Effacement is expressed in percentage, indicating the thinning of the cervix.
Choice B rationale
The cervix is 3 cm dilated, 30% effaced, and the presenting part is 2 cm above the ischial spines. This assessment provides a clear status of labor progress.
Choice C rationale
The presenting part being below the ischial spines would be recorded with a positive station, indicating descent into the pelvis, unlike this assessment.
Choice D rationale
The cervix is assessed for dilation in centimeters and effacement in percentage, with station indicating the relationship to the ischial spines.

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The nurse should realize that the most common and potentially harmful maternal complication of epidural anesthesia is:

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The fetal monitor tracing shown is associated with:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse has received a report regarding her patient in labor. The woman’s last vaginal examination was recorded as 3 cm, 30%, and -2. The nurse’s interpretation of this assessment is that:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

When planning the care for a laboring woman whose membranes have ruptured, the nurse recognizes that the woman’s risk for has increased.

The maternity nurse understands that as the uterus contracts during labor, maternal-fetal exchange of oxygen and waste products:

The nurse caring for the laboring woman should understand that early decelerations are caused by:

The nurse caring for a client in labor observes the external fetal monitor tracing showing that there are accelerations with moderate variability. Which of the following actions is most appropriate?

Pitocin is used for which of the following reasons in the L&D unit: (Select all that apply)

A pregnant client at 22 weeks’ gestation has a hematocrit of 35%. Pre-pregnancy hematocrit was 40%. Which of the following statements by the nurse best explains this change?

Along with gas exchange and nutrient transfer, the placenta produces many hormones necessary for normal pregnancy. These include (select all that apply):