A woman has requested an epidural for her pain. She is 5 cm dilated and 100% effaced. The baby is in a vertex position and is engaged. The nurse increases the woman's intravenous fluid for a preprocedural bolus. She reviews her laboratory values and notes that the woman's hemoglobin is 12 g/dl, hematocrit is 38%, platelets are 67,000, and white blood cells (WBCs) are 12,000/mm³. Which factor would contraindicate an epidural for the woman?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Thrombocytopenia, or a low platelet count, would contraindicate an epidural because it increases the risk of epidural hematoma and spinal cord injury. A low platelet count indicates impaired clotting ability, which could cause bleeding in the epidural space. Anemia, dilation, and infection would not necessarily contraindicate an epidural.

A Woman Has Requested an Epidural for Her Pain