The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving an epidural infusion for pain management. Which action has the highest priority?
a. Assessing the respiratory rate
b. Changing the dressing over the site
c. Using various pain management therapies
d. Weaning the pain medication
A
Complications from an epidural infusion can be caused by the type of medication being infused, or they can be related to the catheter. When used for pain management, the client needs to be assessed for level of alertness, respiratory status, and itching. Dressings are not routinely changed because the catheter is used for only short periods. Using other pain management therapies and weaning the pain medication are important, but monitoring respiratory status has the highest priority in the nursing care of this client.
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