What do I monitor for an epidural block?

The level should be checked regularly to ensure the block is: – Covering the area of incision and/or site of pain; – Not too high (particularly important in high thoracic epidural analgesia); – Not too dense, causing unnecessary motor blockade.

What does a nurse need to assess when a patient has an epidural?

Assess the patient’s emotional and physiologic responses to request modification of the plan of care. When local anesthetics are infused through an epidural catheter, assess sensory block and motor function, vital signs, level of consciousness, and perception of pain.

How do you assess an epidural motor block?

The degree of motor block on both the left and right side should be assessed. Rate their movement according to the Bromage score. With thoracic epidural, upper limb motor function should be assessed by testing bilateral hand and finger extension and flexion.

What is the most serious complication of epidural block?

The most common complications occurring with epidural analgesia are maternal hypotension and postdural puncture headache.

Which assessment is most important to monitor after the administration of epidural anesthesia?

During anesthesia administration, maternal BP and fetal heart rate should be monitored. The extent of dermatomal sensory loss and motor block should be evaluated at regular intervals. Respiratory monitoring should be performed every hour.

What are four 4 adverse effects of this type of analgesia The nurse should monitor for?

The four classic side effects are pruritus, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, and respiratory depression.

How do you know if you have nerve damage from an epidural?

The needle or epidural tube can damage nerves, but this is uncommon. Nerve damage can cause loss of feeling or movement in parts of your lower body. The most common symptom is a small, numb area with normal movement and strength. This usually gets better after a few days or weeks, but can sometimes take months.

Which nursing consideration is most important when caring for a patient receiving epidural anesthesia while in labor?

The nurse needs to monitor carefully the patient’s blood pressure throughout the entire period of epidural anesthesia. Any significant drop in maternal blood pressure causes a decrease in uterine blood flow which may result in fetal hypoxia.

What are two adverse effects of epidural anesthesia the nurse should monitor for?

2. Complications related to epidural drugs. Signs of LA toxicity are dizziness, blurred vision, decreased hearing, restlessness, tremor, hypotension, bradycardia, arrhythmia, seizures, and sudden loss of consciousness.

Which of the following clinical manifestations is an adverse effect of epidural anesthesia?

Potential side effects of an epidural may include headache, soreness, urination problems, and a decrease in blood pressure. While long-term complications are extremely rare, they may result in permanent nerve damage and persistent numbness and tingling.

Can epidural nerve damage be fixed?

This leaflet explains the possibility of nerve damage occurring with your spinal or epidural injection. These injections are usually carried out without any problems and if nerve damage does occur it is usually temporary. Rarely damage may be permanent.