A nurse is caring for a client with chronic pain who has been prescribed epidural analgesia. The nurse monitors the client for which of the following after insertion of the epidural catheter and throughout the therapy?
A) Abdominal pain
B) Respiratory depression
C) Fever
D) Nervousness
Ans: B
Feedback:
The most serious adverse reaction associated with the epidurally administered opioids is respiratory depression. The nurse should closely monitor the client for respiratory depression after insertion of the epidural catheter and throughout the therapy. Clients using epidural analgesics for chronic pain are monitored for respiratory problems with an apnea monitor. The client may also experience sedation, confusion, nausea, pruritus, or urinary retention. The nurse need not monitor the client for abdominal pain, fever, and nervousness because they do not occur as a result of the administration of epidural analgesia.
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