Nursing Management of Pain During Labor and Birth Questions And Answers 2022/2023

A nurse is teaching a childbirth preparation class. The group is discussing individual expression of labor pain. What statement is accurate about a patient's expression of pain? a. It reduces the patient's perception of pain. b. It is intensified by the vertex position of the fetus. c. It is influenced by culture. d. It can be completely controlled by nonpharmacological techniques. - Answer - ANS: C Culture influences how women feel about birth and what is an acceptable response to pain. What chemical substance(s) produced in the body acts as a natural pain reliever? a. Endorphins b. Morphine c. Codeine d. Atropine - Answer - ANS: A Endorphins are natural body substances that are similar to morphine and may explain why laboring women need smaller doses of analgesia A nurse instructs a woman's labor coach to comfort her by firmly pressing on her lower back. What is this technique? a. Sacral pressure b. Distraction c. Effleurage d. Conscious relaxation - Answer - ANS: A Sacral pressure refers to firm pressure against the lower back to relieve some of the pain of back labor. A woman who is 6 cm dilated has the urge to push. What will the nurse instruct the woman to do during the contraction? a. Use slow-paced breathing. b. Hold her breath and push. c. Blow in short breaths. d. Use rapid-paced breathing. - Answer - ANS: C If a laboring woman feels the urge to push before the cervix is fully dilated, then she is taught to blow in short breaths to avoid bearing down. Several hours into labor, a woman complains of dizziness, numbness, and tingling of her hands and mouth. What does the nurse recognize these symptoms signify? a. Hypertension b. Anxiety c. Anoxia d. Hyperventilation - Answer - ANS: D Hyperventilation is sometimes a problem if a woman is breathing rapidly. What is the most appropriate nursing action to take when a laboring woman hyperventilates? a. Help her breathe into her cupped hands. b. Place her flat on her back. c. Initiate oxygen at 2 liters via mask. d. Notify the doctor. - Answer - ANS: A Measures to combat hyperventilation include breathing into cupped hands or a paper bag or holding breath for a few seconds. All of these techniques decrease PCO2. What would the nurse guide a labor coach to do to comfort a woman tensing her muscles with contractions? a. Offer warm liquids to the patient. b. Encourage the patient to pant. c. Engage the patient in conversation. d. Assist the patient to the knee-chest position. - Answer - ANS: B Panting relaxes the abdominal wall and distracts the patient. It would not be helpful to offer fluids or to attempt conversation during contractions. Walking intensifies contractions. What assessment should be taken immediately after the anesthesiologist administers an epidural block to a laboring woman? a. Bladder for distention b. Blood pressure c. Sensation in the lower extremities d. Intravenous fluid flow rate - A