A woman has just given birth to an infant weighing 9 lb, 15 oz ...

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A woman has just given birth to an infant weighing 9 lb, 15 oz (4,350 g) with the assistance of forceps and an episiotomy. The patient received a pudendal block 12 minutes before the birth.
 
  The perinatal nurse would expect which of the following responses to the block?
  A.
  Appropriate for adequate pain relief
  B.
  Too close to birth; causing fetal depression
  C.
  Too early and probably worn off
  D.
  Too late to provide anesthesia

Question 2

The perinatal nurse is aware that a 25-year-old woman with gestational hypertension in labor would benefit most from which pharmacological pain relief medication?
 
  A.
  Epidural bupivacaine
  B.
  Fentanyl intravenously
  C.
  Morphine intrathecally
  D.
  Secobarbital sodium per mouth

[BUTTHOL369]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
A pudendal nerve block provides pain relief in the lower vagina, vulva, and perineum. It should be administered 10 to 20 minutes before perineal anesthesia is needed and may be used late in the second stage of labor if an episiotomy is to be performed or if forceps or vacuum extraction will be used to facilitate birth.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Epidural blocks are advantageous for patients with diabetes, heart disease, pulmonary disease, and, in some cases, gestational hypertension, because they essentially eliminate the pain associated with labor and thus reduce the maternal stress associated with labor discomfort.

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TYSM

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