Author Question: A patient in labor who is dilated 7 cm reports that narcotic pain medication given 3 hours ago has ... (Read 29 times)

debasdf · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

A patient in labor who is dilated 7 cm reports that narcotic pain medication given 3 hours ago has worn off and is asking for another dose. How should the nurse respond to this request?

A) I will get permission from your doctor..
B) Your stage of labor makes giving another dose unsafe..
C) It is too early as the medication should be given only every 4 hours..
D) Since it has been over 3 hours, you should be able to have more of the medication..

Question 2

Which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to suggest about pushing to a woman in the second stage of labor?

A) Lying flat with your head elevated on two pillows makes pushing easier..
B) Choose whatever method you feel most comfortable with for pushing..
C) Let me help you decide when it is time to start pushing..
D) Bear down like you're having a bowel movement with every contraction..

ky860224 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
The timing of administration of narcotics in labor is especially important. If given close to birth, because the fetal liver takes 2 to 3 hours to activate a drug, the effect will not be registered in the fetus for 2 to 3 hours after maternal administration. For this reason, narcotics are preferably given when the mother is more than 3 hours away from birth. This allows the peak action of the drug in the fetus to have passed by the time of birth. The nurse does not need to get permission from the physician. Pain medication can be provided when needed and not on a set schedule of every 4 hours. The patient is nearing delivery so 3 hours from the last dose will not influence the decision to provide more medication.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
The role of the nurse should be to support the woman in her choice of pushing method and to encourage confidence in her maternal instinct of when and how to push. In the absence of any complications, nurses should not be controlling this stage of labor, but empowering women to achieve a satisfying experience. Common practice in many labor units is still to coach women to use closed glottis pushing with every contraction, starting at 10 cm of dilation, a practice that is not supported by research. Research suggests that directed pushing during the second stage may be accompanied by a significant decline in fetal pH and may cause maternal muscle and nerve damage if done too early. Effective pushing can be achieved by assisting the woman to assume a more upright or squatting position. Supporting spontaneous pushing and encouraging women to choose their own method of pushing should be accepted as best clinical practice.