NCLEX-PN Test Prep Questions and Answers with ExplanationsV2 PRACTICE EXAM 1 |2024 UPDATE

11. The 57-year-old male client has elected to have epidural anesthesia as the anesthetic during a hernia repair. If the client experiences hypotension, the nurse would: A. Place him in the Trendelenburg position B. Obtain an order for Benedryl C. Administer oxygen per nasal cannula D. Speed the IV infusion of normal saline Answer D: If the client experiences hypotension after an injection of epidural anesthetic, the nurse should turn him to the left side if possible, apply oxygen by mask, and speed the IV infusion. Epinephrine, not Benedryl, in answer B, should be kept for emergency administration. A is incorrect because placing the client in Trendelenburg position (head down) will allow the anesthesia to move up above the respiratory center, thereby decreasing the diaphragm’s ability to move up and down, ventilating the client. Answer C is incorrect because the oxygen should be applied by mask, not cannula.