A woman in labor has just received an epidural block. What is the most important nursing intervention at this time?

The obstetric nurse is preparing the client for an emergency cesarean birth, with no time to administer spinal anesthesia. The nurse is aware of and prepared for the greatest risk of administering general anesthesia to the client. What is this risk?

The obstetric provider has informed the nurse that she will be performing an amniotomy on the client to induce labor. What is the nurse’s highest priority intervention after the amniotomy is performed?

In evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate for the treatment of preterm labor, which finding alerts the nurse to possible side effects?

What should the laboring client who receives an opioid antagonist be told to expect?

Developing a realistic birth plan with the pregnant woman regarding her care is important for the nurse. How would the nurse explain the major advantage of nonpharmacologic pain management?

Which description most accurately describes the augmentation of labor?

A woman has requested an epidural for her pain. She is 5 cm dilated and 100% effaced. The baby is in a vertex position and is engaged. The nurse increases the woman’s IV fluid for a preprocedural bolus. The nurse reviews her laboratory values and notes that the woman’s hemoglobin is 12 g/dl, hematocrit is 38%, platelets are 67,000, and white blood cells (WBCs) are 12,000/mm3. Which factor would contraindicate an epidural for this woman?

An 18-year-old pregnant woman, gravida 1, para 0, is admitted to the labor and birth unit with moderate contractions every 5 minutes that last 40 seconds. The client states, “My contractions are so strong, I don’t know what to do.” Before making a plan of care, what should the nurse’s first action be?

The nurse caring for a newborn checks the record to note clinical findings that occurred before her shift. Which finding related to the renal system would be of increased significance and require further action?