A woman is 1 hour postpartum with an epidural block and wishes to get up to go to the bathroom. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A.
Assess sensation in the lower extremities.
B.
Check the maternal vital signs.
C.
Confer with the health-care provider.
D.
Offer the woman the bedpan first.


ANS: A
After an epidural block, the nurse must assess for intact sensation in the woman's lower extremities prior to allowing ambulation. This action ensures patient safety. The other options are not related to ambulating after an epidural block.

Nursing

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