The nurse is caring for a laboring patient who is receiving continuous epidural anesthesia via infusion. The maternal blood pressure decreases from 132/78 to 78/42. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
1. Increase the flow rate of infusion of intravenous crystalloid solution.
2. Verify the patient is positioned to promote left uterine displacement.
3. Administer oxygen.
4. Administer ephedrine 5 to 10 mg intravenously.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: If hypotension occurs secondary to epidural anesthesia, the nurse increases the IV flow rate, ensures or verifies left uterine displacement, and administers oxygen. If blood pressure is not restored in 1 to 2 minutes, ephedrine, 5 to 10 mg IV, is administered.
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