Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Pain management in labor
NCLEX: A 29-year-old client in labor and delivery is being evaluated for labor with epidural analgesia. Assessment data…
Maternal-newborn nursing Health Promotion and Maintenance Reduction of Risk Potential
Case Study
A 29-year-old client in labor and delivery is being evaluated for labor with epidural analgesia. Assessment data include late decelerations and minimal variability on fetal monitoring. Which action is appropriate within the RN scope of practice?
Question
A. Independently diagnose the medical disease and prescribe treatment.
B. Prescribe new medications without a provider order.
C. Delegate nursing assessment and evaluation on an unstable client.
D. Assess, analyze cues, implement nursing interventions per orders, teach, evaluate outcomes, and question unsafe orders.
B. Prescribe new medications without a provider order.
C. Delegate nursing assessment and evaluation on an unstable client.
D. Assess, analyze cues, implement nursing interventions per orders, teach, evaluate outcomes, and question unsafe orders.
Rationale
Correct answer: D. Assess, analyze cues, implement nursing interventions per orders, teach, evaluate outcomes, and question unsafe orders.
Rationale: RNs assess, coordinate care, teach, and evaluate. Diagnosis and prescribing are provider responsibilities.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: RNs assess, coordinate care, teach, and evaluate. Diagnosis and prescribing are provider responsibilities.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.