A patient on the L&D unit has been in labor for four hours with an epidural block for pain management for the last hour. The patient’s blood pressure has been averaging 125/70 to 130/72. During a routine nursing assessment, the patient’s blood pressure has decreased to 100/60 and the fetal heart rate pattern exhibits a decrease in variability with an occasional late deceleration.
A common physilogic effects of epidural and spinal anasthesia is hypotension primerly due to blockage of the sympathetic nervous system causing arterial and venous vasodilation with subsequent functional hypovolumia.
Nursing diagnosis are,
Hypotension and shock related to effect of epidural block
Risk for hypovolumia related to the the vasodialation.
Alterd consious level related to hypovolimia
Knowledge deficit of reatives related to the condition
Nursing interventions'
Access the condition of the patient blood pressure and vital sign
stop the infusion if the blood pressure is very low
accese the central venus pressure
Start plasma expanders if hypotention persist
Give the health education and psychological support to the patient relatives
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