A patient who is 37 weeks pregnant and has gestational diabetes is admitted to the labor and delivery unit for induction.
The patient is placed on an external fetal monitor and receives an epidural anesthesia.Which action should the nurse take to identify a potential side effect of the epidural?
Assess the patient’s urine for acetone.
Monitor the patient’s deep tendon reflexes.
Assess the patient’s pupillary accommodation.
Monitor the patient’s blood pressure.
The Correct Answer is D
This is because epidural anesthesia can cause hypotension (low blood pressure) which can affect the placental blood flow and fetal oxygenation.
The nurse should monitor the patient’s blood pressure frequently and intervene if it drops below the baseline.
Choice A is wrong because assessing the patient’s urine for acetone is not relevant to the side effects of epidural anesthesia. Acetone in urine can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes that occurs when the body breaks down fat for energy due to lack of insulin.
However, this is not related to epidural anesthesia.
Choice B is wrong because monitoring the patient’s deep tendon reflexes is not relevant to the side effects of epidural anesthesia. Deep tendon reflexes can be affected by magnesium sulfate, a medication used to prevent seizures in patients with preeclampsia (a condition characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy).
However, this is not related to epidural anesthesia.
Choice C is wrong because assessing the patient’s pupillary accommodation is not relevant to the side effects of epidural anesthesia.
Pupillary accommodation is the ability of the eye to adjust its focus from distant to near objects. It can be impaired by drugs that affect the nervous system, such as opioids or anticholinergics.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C and explain why.Nipple stimulation can cause uterine contractions and increase the risk of preterm labor, especially in a twin gestation.
The client should avoid nipple stimulation until term or as instructed by the provider.
Choice A is wrong because cocoa butter can help moisturize the skin and prevent itching and dryness.
It does not prevent stretch marks, but it is not harmful.
Choice B is wrong because resting several times a day, lying on the left side, can improve blood flow to the uterus and reduce swelling in the lower extremities.
It is a recommended self-care measure for the third trimester of pregnancy.
Choice D is wrong because drinking at least eight glasses of water a day can prevent dehydration, constipation, and urinary tract infections.
It can also help regulate body temperature and amniotic fluid volume.
Normal ranges for twin gestation are similar to singleton gestation, except for fundal height and weight gain.
The fundal height should be measured in centimeters from the pubic symphysis to the top of the uterus.
It should be approximately equal to the number of weeks of gestation plus or minus 4 cm until 32 weeks, then it may plateau or decrease slightly.
The weight gain should be between 35 and 45 pounds for a normal-weight woman, 25 to 42 pounds for an overweight woman, and 15 to 25 pounds for an obese woman.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. The fluid that the mother has in her breasts before the milk comes in is called colostrum, which is rich in antibodies and nutrients that the baby needs.
It also helps to prevent jaundice by stimulating the baby’s bowel movements.
Therefore, the nurse should encourage the mother to breastfeed as soon as possible after birth and explain the benefits of colostrum.
Choice A is wrong because it discourages breastfeeding and may interfere with milk production and bonding.
Choice B is wrong because it implies that breastfeeding is only a skill and not a natural process that benefits both the mother and the baby.
Choice C is wrong because it focuses on the emotional aspect of breastfeeding and not the physiological one.
While breastfeeding may enhance the closeness between the mother and the baby, it is not the only reason to breastfeed.
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