The nurse is caring for a patient in the post-anesthesia care unit who has received a spinal anesthetic. Which action will the nurse perform?
a. Ambulate the patient as soon as consciousness returns.
b. Elevate the head of the bed to a semi-Fowler's position.
c. Have the patient lay flat for 6 to 8 hours after the surgery.
d. Turn the patient from side to side every 15 minutes.
ANS: C
Patients who have had spinal anesthesia should remain flat for 6 to 8 hours to decrease the likelihood of losing spinal fluid, causing a headache.
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