A multigravida in active labor is given nalbuphine. The nurse determines the analgesic is effective when the client says

A multigravida in active labor is given nalbuphine. The nurse determines the analgesic is effective when the client says

• A. The contractions do not seem as painful as before.
• B. I feel nauseated.
• C. My legs feel heavy.
• D. The baby is crying less.

Answer: (A)

Nalbuphine is given to relieve labor pain, so the best sign it’s working is the mother reporting that contractions feel less painful. Her perception of decreased pain shows the analgesic is effectively altering her experience of labor pain. Nausea is a common opioid side effect and doesn’t confirm pain relief. A sensation of heavy legs is also a side effect and not a direct measure of analgesia. The baby crying less isn’t a reliable indicator of maternal pain relief and can reflect fetal status or sedation, not the effectiveness of the analgesia for the mother.

Nalbuphine is given to relieve labor pain, so the best sign it’s working is the mother reporting that contractions feel less painful. Her perception of decreased pain shows the analgesic is effectively altering her experience of labor pain.

Nausea is a common opioid side effect and doesn’t confirm pain relief. A sensation of heavy legs is also a side effect and not a direct measure of analgesia. The baby crying less isn’t a reliable indicator of maternal pain relief and can reflect fetal status or sedation, not the effectiveness of the analgesia for the mother.