A nurse is attending to a patient in labor who has received an epidural anesthesia block. The patient’s blood pressure reads 80/40 mm Hg and the fetal heart rate is 140/min.
What should be the nurse’s immediate course of action?

Choice A rationale
The client’s symptoms of headache, dizziness, blurred vision, 3+ edema in lower extremities, deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) 3+ with positive clonus, and a fetal heart rate (FHR) of 140 with minimal variability are indicative of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the liver and kidneys. It usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications for both the mother and baby. To address this condition, the nurse should: Monitor the client’s blood pressure regularly. Administer prescribed medications to control blood pressure and prevent seizures. The nurse should monitor the following parameters to assess the client’s progress: Blood pressure readings: Regular monitoring can help detect any sudden increases, which could indicate worsening preeclampsia. Urine protein levels: Protein in the urine is a common sign of preeclampsia and should be monitored regularly.
Choice B rationale
Chronic hypertension is a possibility, but it does not fully explain the client’s symptoms. While chronic hypertension can cause headaches and dizziness, it does not typically cause 3+ edema in the lower extremities or positive clonus. Furthermore, chronic hypertension would have been present before the pregnancy or diagnosed before the client reached 20 weeks of gestation.
Choice C rationale
While the client’s symptoms of headache, dizziness, and blurred vision could suggest a neurologic issue, the presence of 3+ edema in the lower extremities and positive clonus are more indicative of preeclampsia. Neurologic status would be monitored as part of the care for a client with preeclampsia.
Choice D rationale
Liver function studies would be relevant if there were symptoms or signs suggesting liver involvement such as upper right abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, or jaundice. However, the client’s symptoms are more indicative of preeclampsia.

Choice A rationale
Administering oxygen via face mask is a common intervention for various complications during labor. However, it is not the priority action when late decelerations are observed on the fetal monitor. Late decelerations are a sign of fetal hypoxia, which is often caused by uteroplacental insufficiency. While oxygen administration can help increase the overall oxygen available, it does not directly address the cause of the late decelerations.
Choice B rationale
Increasing the rate of the IV fluid infusion can help improve maternal circulation and potentially increase placental perfusion. However, this intervention is not the most immediate or effective response to late decelerations.
Choice C rationale
Elevating the client’s legs is not the recommended action in response to late decelerations. This position does not alleviate the cause of late decelerations and can actually impede blood flow to the uterus.
Choice D rationale
Positioning the client on her side, specifically the left side, is the priority action when late decelerations are observed. This position helps to maximize blood flow to the uterus and placenta, thereby improving oxygen delivery to the fetus.