A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving an epidural for continuous labor analgesia.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the treatment is effective?
The client reports slight pressure with contractions.
The client has bladder distention.
The client's systolic blood pressure decreases by 20 mm Hg.
The client is unable to move their legs or feet.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
The primary goal of epidural analgesia is to provide effective pain relief while allowing the client to maintain some sensation, particularly pressure, which indicates the epidural is blocking nociceptive pain signals effectively without completely eliminating proprioceptive awareness. This selective blockade allows the client to feel contractions, facilitating pushing efforts, while minimizing pain perception by blocking transmission of pain impulses via spinal nerves.
Choice B rationale
Bladder distention is a common side effect of epidural analgesia, resulting from the blockade of parasympathetic nerve fibers innervating the bladder, which can impair the micturition reflex. While it indicates the epidural's systemic effect, it is an adverse effect requiring intervention, such as catheterization, rather than a direct indicator of effective pain management.
Choice C rationale
A decrease in systolic blood pressure by 20 mm Hg, or more, is a common adverse effect of epidural analgesia, caused by sympathetic blockade, leading to vasodilation and subsequent peripheral pooling of blood. While it demonstrates the systemic absorption and action of the anesthetic, it signifies a complication requiring management, not an indicator of effective pain relief for labor.
Choice D rationale
Inability to move legs or feet suggests a dense motor blockade, which can occur with epidural analgesia but is not the desired outcome for labor. While a degree of motor weakness may be present, complete motor paralysis can hinder effective pushing during the second stage of labor and is usually avoided to allow for maternal participation in the birth process.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Providing an opportunity to connect with others who have experienced similar losses offers significant psychosocial support. Sharing experiences can normalize grief, reduce feelings of isolation, and validate emotions. This peer support can facilitate the grieving process by fostering a sense of community and understanding during a challenging time.
Choice B rationale
While some causes of spontaneous abortion can be identified, many remain unknown even after the expulsion of fetal tissue. Genetic anomalies, chromosomal abnormalities, or uterine factors are often implicated, but a definitive cause is not always determined. Providing this information can create unrealistic expectations and potential disappointment for the client.
Choice C rationale
The decision to view fetal remains is highly personal and depends on individual coping mechanisms and cultural beliefs. For some, it can be a crucial part of acknowledging the loss and beginning the grieving process. Advising against it prematurely removes a potential avenue for closure and validation for the client.
Choice D rationale
Validating the client's grief, regardless of the gestational age, is crucial for emotional well-being. Acknowledging that it is "okay to feel some grief now" provides permission for the client to experience their emotions. Grief is a subjective process, and the intensity and duration are not dictated by the length of the pregnancy.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Premature newborns have immature respiratory and neurological systems, making them vulnerable to respiratory compromise and apnea in a car seat. A car seat test prior to discharge assesses their ability to maintain adequate oxygenation and heart rate while positioned in the car seat for a prolonged period, ensuring safety.
Choice B rationale
The retainer clip should be positioned at the level of the newborn's armpits, not the abdomen. Proper placement at the armpit level ensures that the harness straps are snug over the shoulders and chest, effectively restraining the infant and preventing ejection in the event of a collision, optimizing crash protection.
Choice C rationale
Newborns, especially premature ones, must always be placed in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the vehicle. Rear-facing provides optimal support for the newborn's fragile head, neck, and spine, distributing crash forces over the entire back and significantly reducing the risk of severe injuries in a collision.
Choice D rationale
The recommended angle for a rear-facing car seat is typically between 30 to 45 degrees, depending on the specific car seat model, not 60 degrees. This recline angle is crucial to prevent the newborn's head from falling forward and compromising their airway, which is particularly critical for a premature infant with underdeveloped neck control. .
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