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 B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B.“The placenta was blocking the opening of the womb.”
This statement shows that the patient understands that placenta previa is a condition where the placenta covers or is near the internal os of the cervix, which prevents a safe vaginal delivery.The patient would need a cesarean delivery to avoid bleeding and complications.
Choice A is wrong because it describes placental abruption, not placenta previa.
Placental abruption is when the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery, which can cause severe bleeding and fetal distress.
Choice C is wrong because it describes a normal position of the placenta at the top of the womb.
This does not interfere with vaginal delivery and does not cause bleeding.
Choice D is wrong because it describes placenta increta or percreta, not placenta previa.
Placenta increta or percreta is when the placenta grows too deeply into or through the uterine wall, which can cause severe bleeding and damage to the uterus and other organs.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. “Have you noticed any tenderness in your breasts?”
Breast tenderness is one of the early signs of pregnancy that may occur as early as one to two weeks after conception.It is caused by hormonal changes that prepare the breasts for lactation.
Choice A is wrong because shortness of breath is not a sign of early pregnancy.It may occur later in pregnancy due to the growing uterus pressing on the diaphragm.
Choice B is wrong because episodes of loss of consciousness are not a sign of early pregnancy.They may indicate a serious condition such as anemia, dehydration, or hypoglycemia that requires medical attention.
Choice C is wrong because spotting is not a sign of early pregnancy.
It may be a sign of implantation bleeding, which occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus.However, implantation bleeding is usually much lighter and shorter than a normal period.
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