Obstetric Nurse Test Obstetric Nurse Pain Management in Labor 1

Question 1

Which method of analgesia provides the most complete pain relief during active labor?

Accepted Answer

Epidural analgesia

Answer

Epidural analgesia delivers continuous local anesthetic and opioid to the epidural space, providing superior and sustained pain relief compared to systemic or inhaled alternatives.

Question 2

Before epidural placement in a laboring patient, which assessment is most critical for patient safety?

Accepted Answer

Platelet count and coagulation status

Answer

Coagulopathy is a contraindication to epidural placement because it increases the risk of epidural hematoma, a potentially catastrophic complication.

Question 3

A laboring patient received IV fentanyl 50 mcg 20 minutes ago. Which assessment is the nurse's highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Maternal respiratory rate and sedation level

Answer

Opioids cause dose-dependent respiratory depression; monitoring maternal respiratory rate and level of sedation is the priority to detect this potentially life-threatening effect.

Question 4

A patient's blood pressure drops to 88/54 mmHg immediately after epidural analgesia is initiated. The priority nursing intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Increase IV fluid rate and position patient in left lateral tilt

Answer

Epidural-induced hypotension results from sympathetic blockade causing vasodilation; IV fluid bolus and left lateral positioning to relieve aortocaval compression are the first-line interventions.

Question 5

Which condition is a contraindication to epidural analgesia during labor?

Accepted Answer

Active coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia below 70,000/mm³

Answer

Active coagulopathy markedly increases the risk of epidural hematoma, which can compress the spinal cord and cause permanent neurological injury.

Obstetric Nurse Test Practice Test

Obstetric Nurse Test Practice Test

Obstetric Nurse Test Obstetric Nurse Pain Management in Labor 1