A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and has an epidural anesthesia block. The client's blood pressure is 80/40 mm Hg, and the fetal heart rate is 140/min. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
Elevate the client's legs.
Place the client in a lateral position.
Monitor vital signs every 5 minutes.
Notify the provider.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A: Elevating the client's legs is a measure to increase blood flow to the brain in cases of orthostatic hypotension but may not be sufficient to improve fetal oxygenation in this situation. The lateral position is preferred as it improves uterine perfusion.
Choice B: The client's blood pressure of 80/40 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which can be a common side effect of epidural anesthesia. The priority nursing action is to place the client in a lateral (sidelying) position to improve blood flow to vital organs, including the uterus and placenta, and prevent further compromise of fetal oxygenation.
Choice C: Monitoring vital signs every 5 minutes is an important nursing action, but the priority in this situation is to address the hypotension and improve maternal and fetal wellbeing first.
Choice D: Notifying the provider is an important step, but it should not be the first action. Immediate intervention to address the hypotension is required to improve fetal oxygenation.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: Bowel prep protocols are not required for an amniocentesis procedure, as it involves sampling amniotic fluid from the uterus, not the bowel.
Choice B: Emptying the bladder before the procedure is important to improve comfort and minimize the risk of accidental puncture during the amniocentesis.
Choice C: It is essential to have a full bladder for some ultrasound procedures, but it is not necessary for an amniocentesis. A full bladder can help push the uterus upward and make it easier to visualize the fetus during the ultrasound, but it is not relevant to the amniocentesis procedure.
Choice D: Washing the abdomen with soap and water is not a required step for an amniocentesis procedure. The procedure involves sterile preparation of the abdomen using an antiseptic
solution.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Retained bile in the liver results in delayed digestion: This statement is not related to the cause of heartburn.
B) Increased estrogen production causes increased secretion of hydrochloric acid: While hormonal changes during pregnancy can contribute to heartburn, it is specifically increased progesterone that leads to relaxation of the cardiac sphincter and delayed gastric emptying, which are more directly linked to heartburn.
C) Pressure from the growing uterus displaces the stomach: Uterine pressure on the stomach can lead to a feeling of fullness, but it is not the primary cause of heartburn during pregnancy.
D) Increased progesterone production causes relaxation of the smooth muscle relaxation of the cardiac sphincter and delayed gastric emptying: This is the correct answer. Increased progesterone levels during pregnancy relax the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to gastric acid reflux into the esophagus and causing heartburn.
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