RN Exam Practice
Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 1084 of 2368

A client with an epidural has been in the lithotomy position with significant hip flexion for a long time. Which nursing action helps prevent nerve and musculoskeletal injury?

  1. Encourage the client to change positions regularly
  2. Keep the client in the same position to maintain the epidural block
  3. Raise the head of the bed fully for the rest of labor
  4. Limit position changes until the cervix is fully dilated
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Correct answer: Encourage the client to change positions regularly

Prolonged use of one position, especially lithotomy, can injure muscles and nerves. Nurses encourage repositioning.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Labor & Delivery Care: Positioning. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026