Monitor fetal heart rate

🟤 Epidural anesthesia can cause maternal hypotension, which reduces placental perfusion.

🟤 Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring helps detect early signs of fetal distress, such as decelerations or bradycardia.

🟤 It is especially important to assess variability and recovery patterns after the epidural is placed.

🟤 Monitoring ensures prompt response to fetal compromise, protecting both mother and fetus.

Administer ampicillin IV

🟤 The client tested positive for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) at 37 weeks, which places the newborn at risk for early-onset sepsis.

🟤 IV antibiotic prophylaxis with ampicillin is the standard of care during labor for GBS-positive clients.

🟤 Timely administration before delivery significantly reduces the risk of neonatal infection.

🟤 This intervention is both evidence-based and time-sensitive.

Place client in left lateral position

🟤 The left lateral position improves uteroplacental blood flow by preventing vena cava compression from the gravid uterus.

🟤 It enhances maternal cardiac output and optimizes fetal oxygenation.

🟤 This positioning is especially useful after epidural placement, when blood pressure may drop.

🟤 It is a non-invasive, effective intervention for maternal and fetal stabilization.

Request a prescription for ephedrine

🟤 Ephedrine is used to treat epidural-induced hypotension, which can result in reduced uterine perfusion and fetal distress.

🟤 Having a prescription on hand ensures timely administration if the client becomes hypotensive.

🟤 It is a preferred vasopressor in obstetric anesthesia due to its minimal impact on uterine blood flow.

🟤 Readiness to manage complications is a critical aspect of peripartum nursing care.

Decrease the IV flow rate

🟤 IV fluids are given to expand circulating volume, particularly to prevent or treat hypotension post-epidural.

🟤 Decreasing the IV rate could exacerbate hypoperfusion, risking maternal and fetal compromise.

🟤 Instead, maintaining or increasing fluid rate is often necessary to stabilize blood pressure.

🟤 This action is inappropriate and potentially dangerous during labor with anesthesia involvement.