A woman who is a gravida 2, para 1 comes to the labor and ...

[Yi-Chen]

A woman who is a gravida 2, para 1 comes to the labor and delivery suite with a spontaneous rupture of membranes, uterine contractions every 2 minutes, and strong cervical dilation 10 cm with 100 effacement, +2 station.
 
  She states she feels a lot of pressure and is asking for something for pain. The nurse recognizes that:
  a. Analgesics given at this point will likely stop her labor.
  b. Analgesics given at this time could cause respiratory depression in the newborn.
  c. A sedative would be the drug of choice this late in labor.
  d. There are no pain relief measures that can be given at this time.

Question 2

Which nursing action will be most effective in helping a woman who is apprehensive cope with her labor?
 
  a. Promote relaxation through reassurance and comfort measures.
  b. Explain the physiologic basis of labor so the woman understands what is happening.
  c. Allow the woman to remain agitated if that is her method of coping.
  d. Distract the woman with other activities.

[xoxo123]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Analgesic drugs should not be given if less than 1 hour remains before delivery because after birth the newborn may have difficulty metabolizing the drugs and may have respiratory depression. Analgesic drugs, if given at this point in labor, will not likely stop its progress. Sedatives do not produce pain relief and may actually inhibit a mother's ability to cope with the pain. This late in labor, a type of anesthesia, such as a pudendal block, may be more appropriate.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
An important principle of nursing care during labor is comfort. General comfort can reduce stress and thus reduce pain. Comfort measures can also encourage rest and relaxation.

[Yi-Chen]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[ktidd]

Excellent