A woman is 1 hour postpartum with an epidural block and wishes to ...

[Zulu123]

A woman is 1 hour postpartum with an epidural block and wishes to get up to go to the bathroom. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
 
  A.
  Assess sensation in the lower extremities.
  B.
  Check the maternal vital signs.
  C.
  Confer with the health-care provider.
  D.
  Offer the woman the bedpan first.

Question 2

A woman received butorphanol (Stadol) IV for labor pain. Thirty minutes later, the patient's respiratory rate is 8 breaths/minute. What action by the nurse is best?
 
  A.
  Administer naloxone (Narcan) per protocol.
  B.
  Call the perinatal rapid response team.
  C.
  Reduce the next dose of Stadol by half.
  D.
  Hold the next dose of Stadol and notify the provider.

[l.stuut]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
After an epidural block, the nurse must assess for intact sensation in the woman's lower extremities prior to allowing ambulation. This action ensures patient safety. The other options are not related to ambulating after an epidural block.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Butorphanol can cause both maternal and fetal respiratory depression. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist and will reverse the effects of opioids. This woman's respiratory rate is too low, and the nurse needs to administer naloxone per protocol. There is no need to call a perinatal RRT prior to administering the medication. The patient's medication regime should then be discussed with the provider.