The spouse of a pregnant patient is concerned about the risk of paralysis from an epidural block being used during labor. What should the nurse respond to the spouse's concern?
A) "I have never read or heard of this happening.".
B) "The injection is given in the space outside the spinal cord.".
C) "An injury is unlikely because of expert professional care given.".
D) "The injection is given at the third or fourth thoracic vertebrae so paralysis is not a problem.".
B
Feedback:
An anesthetic agent placed inside the ligamentum flavum in the epidural space is epidural anesthesia. An epidural is placed in the space at the L4–L5, L3–L4, or L2–L3 areas to block the spinal nerve roots in the space and the sympathetic nerve fibers that travel with them. The nurse should not minimize the spouse's concern because the nurse has never read or heard of this occurring. An injury can occur with any invasive procedure.
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