The nurse should be aware that an effective plan to achieve ...

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The nurse should be aware that an effective plan to achieve adequate pain relief without maternal risk is most effective if:
 
  a. The mother gives birth without any analgesic or anesthetic.
  b. The mother and family's priorities and preferences are incorporated into the plan.
  c. The primary health care provider decides the best pain relief for the mother and family.
  d. The nurse informs the family of all alternative methods of pain relief available in the hospital setting.

Question 2

A woman in active labor receives an analgesic opioid agonist.
 
  Which medication relieves severe, persistent, or recurrent pain; creates a sense of well-being; overcomes inhibitory factors; and may even relax the cervix but should be used cautiously in women with cardiac disease?
  a. Meperidine (Demerol) c. Butorphanol tartrate (Stadol)
  b. Promethazine (Phenergan) d. Nalbuphine (Nubain)

[macagn]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The assessment of the woman, her fetus, and her labor is a joint effort of the nurse and the primary health care providers, who consult with the woman about their findings and recommendations. The needs of each woman are different, and many factors must be considered before a decision is made whether pharmacologic methods, nonpharmacologic methods, or a combination of the two will be used to manage labor pain.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Meperidine is the most commonly used opioid agonist analgesic for women in labor throughout the world. It overcomes inhibitory factors in labor and may even relax the cervix. Because tachycardia is a possible adverse reaction, meperidine is used cautiously in women with cardiac disease. Phenergan is an ataractic (tranquilizer) that may be used to augment the desirable effects of the opioid analgesics but has few of the undesirable effects of those drugs. Stadol and Nubain are opioid agonist-antagonist analgesics.