The client has been in active labor for the last 12 hours. During the last 3 hours, labor has been augmented with oxytocin because of hypoactive uterine contractions. Her physician assesses her cervixas 95% effaced, 8 cm dilated, and the fetus is at 0 station. Her oral temperature is 100.2F at this time. The physician orders that she be prepared for a cesarean delivery. In preparing the client for the cesarean delivery, which one of the following physician’s orders should the RN question?

The client has been in active labor for the last 12 hours. During the last 3 hours, labor has been augmented with oxytocin because of hypoactive uterine contractions. Her physician assesses her cervixas 95% effaced, 8 cm dilated, and the fetus is at 0 station. Her oral temperature is 100.2F at this time. The physician orders that she be prepared for a cesarean delivery. In preparing the client for the cesarean delivery, which one of the following physician’s orders should the RN question?
A . Administer meperidine (Demerol) 100 mg IM 1 hour prior to the delivery.
B . Discontinue the oxytocin infusion.
C . Insert an indwelling Foley catheter prior to delivery.
D . Prepare abdominal area from below the nipples to below the symphysis pubis area.

View Answer

Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) Meperidine is a narcotic analgesic medication that crosses the placental barrier and reaches the fetus, causing respiratory depression in the fetus. A narcotic medication should never be included in the preoperative order for a cesarean delivery.

(B) Oxytocin infusion would be discontinued if client is being prepared for a cesarean delivery because the medication would not be needed.

(C) The bladder is always emptied prior to and during the surgical intervention to prevent the urinary bladder from accidentally being incised while the uterine incision is made.

(D) The abdominal area is always prepared to rid the area of hair before the abdominal incision is made. Abdominal hair cannot be sterilized and could become a source for postoperative incisional infection.