Abstract
Analgesia during labor is important; pain and pressure that is reported during labor are often characterized as some of the most intense pain that a parturient will ever experience, both mentally and physically. Analgesia during labor is vital in reducing stress levels and catecholamine release, as well as increasing the chance for positive outcomes for both the fetus and the mother. Often this type of analgesia is provided through neuraxial administration of local anesthetic, sometimes in conjunction with opioids including fentanyl, sufentanil, or morphine. While there are benefits to the use of opioids, such as reduced amounts of LA with decreased motor blockade, there are also adverse effects including urinary retention, nausea and vomiting, and respiratory depression. Utilizing dexmedetomidine as an alternative adjunct can minimize these negative side effects while reaching the desired levels of analgesia.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
DNP Capstone Project
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Case Study/Series
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Dexmedetomidine, Adjunct Therapy, Labor Analgesia
Advisor
Maria Ledbetter
Degree
DNP
Degree Grantor
Samford University
Degree Year
2025
Recommended Citation
Vinson, Alexandra R., "Dexmedetomidine as an Adjunct Therapy for Labor Analgesia" (2025). Group: Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing. 204.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/samford/204
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
None: Degree-based Submission
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Full Text of Presentation
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