A pregnant patient in the early phase of labor is experiencing abdominal pain and is becoming increasingly anxious. What is the best pain management technique the nurse can suggest at this stage?
A) Immersing the patient in warm water in a pool or hot tub
B) Practicing effleurage on the abdomen
C) Administering a sedative such as secobarbital (Seconal) or pentobarbital (Nembutal)
D) Administering an opioid such as meperidine (Demerol) or fentanyl (Sublimaze)
Question 2
A patient who received an epidural is currently in the second stage of labor and is reporting severe, unrelenting abdominal pain that is rated as being 10 on a scale of 0 to 10. What should the nurse do?
A) Proceed with standard care; the nurse knows that this is typical in the second stage of labor
B) Call the obstetrician; severe unrelenting abdominal pain could indicate placental abruption, uterine rupture, or other undiagnosed complication
C) Call the anesthetist, who is responsible for managing the epidural and should be monitoring the pain
D) Discuss additional pain medication options available to the patient at this stage in her labor
Abdominal Ballottement
Hints of Earth’s Early Appearance
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Instructing a Patient on Breast Self-Examination
Pregnancy abdomen pain