64. A client, who is gravida 5, para 3, requests epidural anesthesia to relieve the discomfort of labor. After placement of her epidural and a loading dose of medication, which assessment should be a nurse's priority?
64. A client, who is gravida 5, para 3, requests epidural anesthesia to relieve the discomfort of labor. After placement of her epidural and a loading dose of medication, which assessment should be a nurse's priority?
. Checking for cervical dilation.
. Placing the client in a supine position.
. Obtaining a fetal heart rate.
. Checking the client's blood pressure.
Test-Taking Tip
This question is asking about a side effect that is common in epidural anesthesia. Regular assessments of cervical dilation and fetal heart rate are common to all clients in labor and do not address the specific condition in the question.
Content Area: Maternity, Intrapartum; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Assessment; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies/Pharmacological Pain Management
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Answer 1 is incorrect because the side effect from epidural anesthesia that the nurse needs to monitor is hypotension. Cervical dilation is an assessment that is common to all clients in labor. Answer 2 is incorrect because placing the client in a supine position will worsen the hypotension. Answer 3 is incorrect because obtaining a fetal heart rate is a common assessment to all clients in labor, and does not address the specific side effect of epidural anesthesia. Answer 4 is correct because checking the client's blood pressure is most important with epidural anesthesia.