Your laboring client has asked that you help her to use a ...

[leo leo]

Your laboring client has asked that you help her to use a cutaneous stimulation strategy for pain management, you would then:
 
  a. assist her into the shower.
  b. apply a heat pack to lower back.
  c. help her to create a relaxing mental scene.
  d. encourage cleansing breaths and slow-paced breathing.

Question 2

The priority intervention for a client with epidural anesthesia whose blood pressure is 80/50 mm Hg is:
 
  a. reposition to supine position.
  b. administer ephedrine, 5 mg IV push.
  c. maintain IV infusion rate at 150 mL/hr.
  d. Notify anesthesia about maternal hypotension.

[briezy]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Cutaneous stimulation includes self-massage, massage by others, counterpressure, touch, thermal stimulation, and acupressure. A shower, tub, or whirlpool are forms of hydrotherapy; creating a relaxed mental scene is mental stimulation. The use of cleansing breaths and patterned breathing is part of breathing techniques for labor.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
A significant blood pressure decrease is a drop to 100 mm Hg or lower systolic. If hypotension is significant, ephedrine is ordered to increase the blood pressure to normal values. The supine position will further decrease maternal blood pressure by compressing the major vessels. Maintaining the IV infusion rate will not return blood pressure to normal values as quickly as needed; immediate action needs to be taken, and notifying anesthesia would be time-consuming.